PanSTARRS

[BillW]

Hi,
After a couple of evenings looking I finally managed to get an image of comet PanSTARRS.
Another bitterly cold evening but at least this time the wind had dropped.



8 seconds at iso 800 through a 300mm f4 at f4.

cheers,
Bill.

[arp]

Hi Bill,

That's a nice telephoto shot.

The comet is a difficult object, needing a clear W horizon. Last night the clouds were sitting over the Moon and/or comet, but eventually, after 7pm, both objects appeared through the gaps and I nabbed a few shots.

A 2s exposure is attached.

[/img]

How do we add pics to a reply on this forum? It has added 'img' tags to my message but I can't paste an image. I can't find any help on this under Help.

Cheers,

Alex.

[BillW]

Hi,

You need to put the full URL of where the image is located between the tags.

Something like img]http://yourpics.server/pic1.jpg[/img

(I've deliberately omitted the first and last square brackets so this isn't seen as an image!)

Hope that helps,
Bill.

[arp]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for explaining this.

Unfortunately, my pics are on my laptop, not a website, so I can't use this URL method.

The forum used to offer an 'attach' option, to paste images.

Cheers,

Alex.

[BillW]

Hi,
I've checked the settings and I don't think I've switched anything off.
I've always thought that the images had to be on a server somewhere and didn't even know there was the attach function you mention. Is this what you've used before for you pictures? I will go and have another check.

The skies cleared here for about 20 mins total and I managed to get another look. It's definitely getting higher and looks a touch brighter in clearer air.



This was taken 19.26UT 15/3/13/
cheers,
Bill.

[arp]

Hi Bill,

That's a good shot. More detail coming out in the tail, as you say. Clouded out here, but fingers crossed for next week.

I'll ask stewartw to try adding a test pic, to check my comment about an Attach option.

Clear skies,

Alex.

[BillW]

Hi,
My latest image taken on 29/3/13 at 20.57UT, 10x30 secs.



Tail fans out over 100 degrees and has three distinct components. (A bit easier to see in a grayscale and stretched image though)
There might also be a jet right at the tip of the coma.
Need to try and get some more images to confirm this.

[BillW]

The good weather continues!

Here's a shot with an overlay of the stars, not perfect but it's interesting to see the outline on M31 and its satellites.

[BillW]

Hi,
The last one for this comet I think. Been a great pass.