13 Ari
Images
The Devil's Comet earned its nickname due to cryovolcanic activity. Explosions of gases have been observed and one image gave it a distinct horned aspect. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is periodic, with an orbit every 71 years, making it a Halley-type comet. This year it was especially bright. I only had a few hours to image it after dusk, so I used a fast HyperStar system from the deck of some friends with an ocean view to avoid obstructions on the horizon. The comet is known for having an amazingly long and intricately detailed tail. It is in close proximity to bright star Hamal that glows like a diamond, hence: the Devil's diamond.
2024-03-31
The Galactic Menagerie of Comets, Galaxies and Things
Nominated for top pick at AstroBin. On Saturday, March 16th, I experienced an amazing moment as the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks threaded the needle between M33: the Triangulum galaxy and M31: the Andromeda galaxy. As the trio descended slowly towards the Pacific Ocean, the International Space Station (ISS) flew overhead. M45: the Pleiades dangles like a diamond necklace above the brilliant disc of the planet Jupiter. This 20mm shot captured the scene at exactly 9:03pm. At the bottom, you can see the sand of Agate Beach in Newport, Oregon, USA as it stretches to the water. In the distance, a boat shines with a red glow and the lighthouse casts the beam of its beacon through a lower-lying layer of fog. I used a set of 20mm exposures to frame the scene and stacked 10 50mm photographs of the comet and galaxies to boost the resolution.
2024-03-18