Comet Wild 2
Faint Comet in Virgo

 

            
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 This 9.3rd
            magnitude object is currently the brightest comet in the evening
            sky. A surprise here was the nice low surface brightness band
            like tail, and the greenish coloration in the coma. After imaging
            the diminuative comet Vales that same night, this one was a real
            treat!

            
Comet Wild2 is
            a periodic comet with a period of 6.4 years. For the previeous
            apparition, this comet maxed out at 10th magnitude, and so this
            appearance 

Optics:  8" f/4 Newtonian Astrograph w/Baader MPCC Coma Corrector
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200  
Camera:  Hutech Modified Canon XTi @ ISO800
Exposure:  12 x 5m = 60 mins
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  8/10, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  55F
Processing Tools:  Photoshop CS2, Images Plus 3.82
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