Thursday, January 22, 2015

Comet Lovejoy C/2014 Q2

A new comet discovered by Terry Lovejoy in August 2014 from Australia is a great comet to view because of its path through the sky.  It is high up and excellent position for cameras and telescopes.  I took this image from Zodiac Ranch near Fort Davis, TX on the night of January 18, 2015.  It is at its maximum brightness and orbits the sun every 11,000 years. 

Lovejoy C/2014 Q2
(L) 3min X 2
(R) 3 min X 2
(G) 3 min X 2
(B) 3 min X 2
Camera: QSI683wsg at F/5
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ106
Mount: Celestron CGE Pro
Location: Fort Davis, TX
Dates: January 18, 2015
Captured with Nebulosity and guided with PHD guiding.
Processed with MaxIm DL 5 and photoshop.



 The smaller image is a widefield image using a Canon 5D Mark II that is modified for deep sky astrophotography.  It is a single 3-minute exposure piggybacking on my scope.