Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

[Sprites]

10 hours ago, Arnie Pie said:

Cheers Sprites
Makes sense with the tracker giving more exposure time. that's one hell of a clever feature on Pentax camera`s, no need for a tracking mount
(unknown to me until i watched a YT video)
I`ve always been a Canon man, its certainly food for thought towards Pentax

From the forums I`ve discovered how to recover the camera, but not to solve the problem
and with no more firmware updates available from Canon for it`s dinosaur camera`s....it is what it is

Not a good forecast for the next few days
 

Hi Arnie 

The sensor moves to compensate for star trailing. That feature is good for a quick setup, but won't beat a proper tracking mount. I've never got the claimed 2-3 minute exposures for wider lenses. Unless your in a Bortle 2 or 3,  it would just blow out the photo anyway. It's still a good gadget for getting started in astrophotography. 

I could see the comet through binoculars last night, it's faded quite a bit though. 

I hope we get some clear skies again soon. 

 

 

[Arnie Pie]

Thanks for that advice

10 hours ago, Sprites said:

I could see the comet through binoculars last night, it's faded quite a bit though. 

I also had some clear skies overhead and not really expecting anything, I knew that if I waited long enough, both the comet and Mars would come into sight
 
Although clear, the comet was below 20°, and Mars was scraping the Smut level, it was more just practice going through the motions

first to appear was the comet

8"- f4.0 - ISO 1600 - LP filter fitted - WB K5400 - Lens at 105mm
25 stacked

when Mars appeared I dropped the exposure down to 5"

Nasty but recognisable 

[Sprites]

Heading towards Mars 

Clouds spoilt the view tonight 10-2-2023

[Arnie Pie]

12 hours ago, Sprites said:

Heading towards Mars 

Lovely iconic shot there mate

impressive composure
While checking the satellite, I noticed that the cloud was clearing from the E, and was hoping that you would get a chance

[Sprites]

1 hour ago, Arnie Pie said:

Lovely iconic shot there mate

impressive composure
While checking the satellite, I noticed that the cloud was clearing from the E, and was hoping that you would get a chance

Thanks Arnie 

Last night was forecast cloudy, there were a few low clouds and clear above those. But overall not enough gaps. 

Monday/Tuesday is forecast clear intervals.

This photo was from Thursday

Edited February 11, 2023 by Sprites

[Southern Storm]

On 11/02/2023 at 03:05, Sprites said:

Heading towards Mars 

Clouds spoilt the view tonight 10-2-2023

I'm happy you managed to capture what will likely end up being a once in a lifetime photo.. even if I am a little bit jealous you should be very proud of that one!

I had been hoping that there would be a break in the cloud, but I've been stuck under a unrelenting slate grey sky for the past few days now, I'm praying I'll get a chance to get a picture of the comet near Mars before it's too late 

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by Southern Storm

[Sprites]

1 hour ago, Southern Storm said:

I'm happy you managed to capture what will likely end up being a once in a lifetime photo.. even if I am a little bit jealous you should be very proud of that one!

I had been hoping that there would be a break in the cloud, but I've been stuck under a unrelenting slate grey sky for the past few days now, I'm praying I'll get a chance to get a picture of the comet near Mars before it's too late 

 

Hello SS 

 Just lucky to get a brief gap in the cloud cover. Only managed 2 shots near Mars, not enough to stack. The thin cloud acted as a starglow filter on Mars. It should be clear when the comet is in Taurus. After that it's likely a target for tracking mounts as it fades. 

 

 

 

[matty40s]

 

[Sprites]

Very murky and humid this evening, saharan dust too? Couldn't see the Comet through binoculars. Turned foggy not long after I took these. 

NGC 1647

Edited February 14, 2023 by Sprites

[Arnie Pie]

nice

 

[Sprites]

Slightly better visibility for a last chance capture of this comet in Taurus. It's now fading and the weather is cloudy. 

Edited February 16, 2023 by Sprites