Tags > Comets
Comets are massive balls of ice, dust, and rocky material that have elongated orbits around the sun that may take millions of years to complete. As they approach the sun, solar radiation causes gases to blast from the surface. This effect forms the signature tail that is associated with them. Photographing faint comets can be tricky due to the dual apparent motion of the starfield and comet across the night sky.
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How do I stack comets in PixInsight?
Do you have the same issue that I did? Despite doing things like splitting out stars to align separately, you always end up with star streaks. I finally figured out the simple, single step to do between star alignment and comet alignment that makes all the difference and produces streak-free comets for me every time (without having to split the lights). This post walks through the full end-to-end of processing comets in PixInsight.
2023-02-04 learn moreTagged videos
Comet chasing: 12P/Pons-Brooks (2024) from Newport Oregon
On March 16th, 2024. I headed to Agate Beach with my wife on a mission: to capture a comet as it threaded the needle between two galaxies as it set over the ocean by a lighthouse. Oh, and the International Space Station. See how I planned it, the gear I used, my set up, and what it ultimately produced.
2024-03-20 learn more
How to Process a Comet in PixInsight
Do you have the same issue that I did? Despite doing things like splitting out stars to align separately, you always end up with star streaks. I finally figured out the simple, single step to do between star alignment and comet alignment that makes all the difference and produces streak-free comets for me every time (without having to split the lights). This video walks through the full end-to-end of processing comets in PixInsight.
2023-02-02 learn more
Live observations of green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
Footage from my imaging sessions with comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) using a 336mm and a 1645mm scope. Live observations of a green comet that was last seen 50,000 years ago: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF).
2023-01-22 learn more
Night of the Comet
Timelapse of night sky including footage of 50,000-year green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF).
2023-01-30 learn more