Comet ZTF-E3 at closest approach to Earth
in the evening sky with huge 90% moon nearby
2/1/23

 
 Now
            at 5th magnitude and passing the Earth, this very fast moving
            comet was a challenge to image this night due to a very bright
            90% full moon that was less than 45 degrees away. The raw color
            frames were bright blue, and had huge gradients. The final result
            is shown here, 30 mins total using 2min subs. An almost spiral
            parabolic envelope surrounds the nuclear region, to the right
            the bands of the gas tail, and underneath a tawny colored dust
            fan is still evident.

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

1600 x 1200
            


Lens:  10" f/2.9 GSO Astrograph Newtonian w/Nexus corrector
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200
Camera:  ASI071MC Pro CMOS OSC cooled
Exposure:  30mins total integration time
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  7/10, Transparency 6/10
Outside Temperature:  25F
Processing Tools:  Maxim DL, Photoshop CS2
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