Comet Lulin Superimposed on
The Gegenschein
Comet with Solar System dust 

 

            
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 There
            are not too many photos around of much of anything superimposed
            on this faint solar system glow, however a particularly transparent
            night (with horrible seeing) made for the perfect opportunity
            to capture this once in a life time event. In this image, which
            was photographed in portrait mode to pick up the trees at the
            bottom, we can see the constellation of Leo above center, with
            golden Saturn just below its hind quarters. The comet is the
            green object in the center displaying its amazing anti tail.
            Cutting nearly horizontally through the frame is the zodiacal
            band right through Saturn and Regulus. In the center of the image
            under the comet is the Gegenschein, the exact anti solar point.
            The comet was in opposition at this time obviously as well. This
            ultra rare encounter of both comet and the zodiacal band in opposition
            is one to cherish for years to come!
Lens:  Canon 17 - 40 mm L at f/5
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200  (Piggyback on 12.5")
Camera:  Hutech Modified Canon XTi @ ISO800
Exposure:  5m
Filters:  UV
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  4/10, Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  40F
Processing Tools:  Photoshop CS2, Maxim DSLR
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