LtE in CMO #261
From Dr P
Clay SHERROD
©･････････From: "Clay Sherrod" <sherrodc@ipa.net>
Sent:
Subject: 29P - Schwassmann-Wachmann
Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann
1 (29P):
This comet is in outburst and was imaged this morning at 08:500; the resulting
image and complete comet database is found at:
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
There
are some very interesting attributes of 29P at this time besides its outburst.
The comet is very large, compared to earlier sightings and presents a distinct
15.31 m2 nucleus, very starlike. In addition the coma perimeter is very
irregular and appears so perhaps MORE visually than via imaging, with a
distinct "dumbbell shape."
Details:
DATE/Time: 2002 JUN 08.500
Instrumentation: 0.31m SCT @ f/3.75 w/ SBIG STV 237
m1 = 12.61
m2 = 15.31
Coma diameter = 1.2', irregular
DC = 6/9
Tail - none imaged nor observed.
© . . . . . . . . . . From:
"Clay Sherrod" <sherrodc@ipa.net>
Sent:
Subject: OT - Happy Fathers Day
As the
father of five grown (whew!) wonderful children, I am somewhat
qualified to offer a hearty HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to each and every Dad,
Grandfather and Great-Grandfather out there today.
To you kids with fathers still out
there....don't take them for granted.
Give them a
chance to get out with you and see the wonders you cherish; there will be a day
when you look back, smile, and remember his first look through his son's
telescope.
To all you
fathers with kids out there....remind them gently that you are there if need be
and let THEM know you are interested in their world as well. Invite them to look through YOUR telescope
and share your wonders with them.
Perhaps their children when follow your footsteps in the pathways to the
stars.
[......missing my Dad......loving
my kids.....]
○･･･････Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 10:05 AM
Subject: Comet Data System at ASO
DAILY
COMET DIGEST ON ASO -Through a lot of hard work, Brian has developed a
fantastic prototype data entry system for the ASO comet observations, allowing
quick and accurate logging of the many nightly comet observations logged here
via the ASO Sky Patrol. As many as 15
comets nightly are sometimes imaged and recorded.
In addition to allowing us to enter these
observations, it allows YOU an immediate and constant update retrieval system
on all observable brighter comets of the night sky for the current time
frame. If any images obtained (ALL
comets are imaged and recorded via Archives for data determination, but not all
are published)
are deemed unusual or interesting, they too will be posted with that night's
data for any particular comet.
These updates appear every night, weather and
moonlight permitting.
Conditions and moonlight will limit the
observations at some times to only brighter (12th magnitude
and brighter)
comets; on other dates, comets to 17th magnitude are often recorded.
Although still under construction, the data
files and DAILY COMET DIGEST are now operational and found at
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
And
every ASO observed comet (past or present)
will be listed on this DIGEST; merely double clicking on any comet listed will
bring up the data archive for that comet as it currently is input.
This data system, once finalized, will be open
to comet observers worldwide for entry of their observations as well, using an
ASO-exclusive password for each observer of his or her choosing. ANY comet can be listed with the "common
number/name" designations normally used (i.e., C/2002
C1, 29P Schwassmann-Wachmann,etc.)
and once that comet is entered by an observer the first time, it automatically
is entered onto the tabular data field for retrieval at the address given above
and becomes a permanent part of the Comet Digest files.
We hope you benefit and enjoy the advantages
of this on-line COMET DIGEST.
Your feedback is most encouraged and welcomed,
and this system will be open to comet observers once your valued input has been
received and utilized for the final version of this system.
© . . . . . . . . . . . Sent:
Subject: Continued activity in
29P Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
The very interesting nature of the coma and
outburst of 29P Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 continues.
Still an incredible display
of this comet in outburst. The
comet - Although not inordinately bright - is quite large and this morning is
showing a clear nucleus measured via CCD at m2 = 14.62. The coma continues to demonstrate the
"curving pinwheel" effect as recorded on June 17 as clearly seen in
the accompanying image.
Note that the
"open end" or dark gap seen previously on the SW perimeter of the
comet is still recorded at PA 230 degrees
The inset in this image was imaged at f/5
for 50 seconds via CCD and clearly shows the nearly stellar nuclear condensation.
Information and particulars:
Instrumentation: 0.31m SCT @ f3.75 with SBIG/STV
Stellar limiting magnitude: 17.4 / Trans. 5.5/6.5
Time: 2002 Jun 18.361
The direct image link on the ASO
image archives is found at:
http://www.arksky.org/asoimg/SchwasW_0618.jpg
while the comprehensive ASO Sky Patrol
Comet Observations Table can be accessed for this - and many other comets -
via:
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
© . . . . . . . . . . . Sent:
RE: computer enhanced image of Comet
29P
This image is worth taking a look
at...it is the one that I have posted earlier on the ASO comet sky patrol
digest
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
for June 18 (this morning) but Brian has
taken it and done some edge detection analysis to bring out differentiation of
the subtle edge boundaries....
The spiraling nature of Schwassmann-Wachmann's
coma is certainly apparent and accentuated in this
digitized view.
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/cometlog.pl?request=29P_Schwassmann-Wachmann
If the line wrap fails to open the URL, then
go directly to the Comet Patrol page of the ASO site and click on "29P Schwassman-Wachmann" and the image will be under the
first listing you see for Jun 18.
○･･･････Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 10:26
PM
Continued imaging and observations of 29P : Schwassmann-Wachmann this
morning is hazy sky. The image at the
following link is worth checking out, showing clearly some finely-delineated
curving "arms" of the spiraling comet coma. Note this is a negative image for contrast
enhancement. Go to URL:
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
and click on 29P Schwassmann
-Wachmann, where an image is attached to the data
file.
An incredible show continues with the spiraling
nature of the coma and nucleus clearly evident in the attached negative image
via CCD (3-40sec.
composite).
Nucleus (m2)
magnitude measured at 14.09; no tail; note the conspicuous curing
"arms" of the comet in this image.
M1 = 13.22 (slightly
fainter, but much larger and more diffuse than previous nights)
CD = 6/9 with strong, stellar
central condensation
D = 2.1' arc, no tail
SchwaW_0620.jpg
© . . . . . . . . . . . Sent:
Subject: Incredible View of 29P Coma
and Nucleus
Hello to all -
Attached is the link to two sets of
images from this morning of 29P; the positive image is just incredible, showing
the distinct nucleus of Comet 29P and the spiraling jets emanating from that
nucleus; we imaged the comet on several
intervals for about two hours this morning and were witnessing morphological
changes within 1/4 hour spans...just incredible.
Details from this morning's image and
observations:
29P 0.31m SCT / CCD @ f/5, SBIG-STV,
14.8microns
Sky T = 5.5/6.5 with some high haze
Exposures: 50sec. each m1 = 13.10 m2 = 14.77 (CCD)
D = 2.5' DC = 2/9 (coma,
not including stellar nucleus which is clearly distinguishable on image).
You will find these images on the ASO website
Comet Patrol page:
http://www.arksky.org/cgi-bin/comettable.pl
and just click on "29P Schwassmann-Wachmann" for details and accompanying
images.
P Clay SHERROD (
