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Date: 02 Oct 2006 05:40:54
From: Dave Mitsky
Subject: C/2006 M4 (SWAN) on a Tuesday Morning, 2006/10/2


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





 
Date: 02 Oct 2006 23:26:19
From: Phoon Hencman
Subject: Re: C/2006 M4 (SWAN) on a Tuesday Morning, 2006/10/2


On 2006-10-02 08:40:54 -0400, "Dave Mitsky" <djm28@psu.edu > said:

> 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


Magnitude please!?