Date: 02 Oct 2006 09:03:03
From: Dave Mitsky
Subject: C/2006 M4 (SWAN) on a Monday Morning, 2006/10/2
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I observed the recently discovered comet C/2006 M4 (SWAN) this morning
from approximately 9:45 to 10:10 UT (5:45 to 6:10 a.m.) using the ASH
17" f/15 classical Cassegrain and its 5" f/5 achromatic finder scope.
Fortunately, Comet SWAN M4 rose right where there's a gap in the Naylor
Observatory's eastern treeline. Its position was in the neighborhood
of 12h12.92m, 33d21.0'.
The coma was rather condensed and fairly bright. It appeared to have a
slight pale blue tint and seemed to exhibit a hint of tail when I
jogged the OTA back and forth, although the brightening sky made it
hard to be certain about that. I used a 55mm University Optics Ploessl
(118x), 45mm U.O. Optics Ploessl (144x), a 40mm U.O. MK-70 (162x), a
32mm U.O. Optics Koenig-II (202x) and a 25mm U.O. Optics MK-70 (259x)
with the 17". The 45mm Ploessl gave me the most pleasing view of the
new comet.
Dave Mitsky
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