Comet Hartley 103P
Fading comet in Monoceros

 

            
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 The
            last glowing ember of this periodic comet can be seen in the
            very center of this image. Now at 11th magnitude in the dense
            star fields of Monoceros, the formerly stunning emerald comet
            has now faded to a dull tawny glow, with very little tail seen
            here. This was a long exposure, the scope panned 30 degrees across
            the sky for this image, and the comet moved against the starry
            background. Here, this image is tracked on the comets nucleus
            with the countless multi hued stars whizzing by. Good bye old
            friend - see you next time!
Lens:  12.5" f/5 Home bult Newtonian
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200 
Exposure:  2h RGB
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  7/10, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  40F
Processing Tools:  Photoshop CS2
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