Comet 2011L4

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03-06-2013, 08:49 PM
Kayaker72

Comet 2011L4

Supposedly this is visible in the southern hemisphere now and will shortly be visible in the northern hemisphere soon. I am having trouble finding much information on it, but some pictures are starting to show up on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/8523783583/

Since it is a new comet, apparently it can be great, or fizzle, according to the following:

http://lunarscience.nasa.gov/article...s-brightening/
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/03/06/...ever-of-earth/

Based on the picture on Flickr, maybe better than expected?

Below is NASA's forecast for visability:

http://i.space.com/images/i/000/025/...march-2013.jpg

Apparently, there is another comet coming this fall. Some are forecasting comet Ison to be as bright as a full moon in daylight. It will be here Aug-13 through Jan-14.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2012_S1

Just in case anyone is interested.
03-06-2013, 08:52 PM
ahab1372

Thanks Brant, I'll try to give it a shot. Time for a night drive to the Lick observatories
03-06-2013, 09:34 PM
Kayaker72

Sounds great Arnt.

BTW...to Mr Jonathan Huyer..if you get a comet in a picture with the Northern Lights (not photoshoped)....I'll buy a print....just sayin' :D
03-06-2013, 11:37 PM
Jonathan Huyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayaker72

Sounds great Arnt.

BTW...to Mr Jonathan Huyer..if you get a comet in a picture with the Northern Lights (not photoshoped)....I'll buy a print....just sayin' :D

Would you settle for fuzzy smears of ice on my lens? The forecast is for -39 C and I think the photography is going to be a bit entertaining!
03-07-2013, 12:49 AM
Busted Knuckles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer

Would you settle for fuzzy smears of ice on my lens? The forecast is for -39 C and I think the photography is going to be a bit entertaining!

what is the "-" in front of the number, never seen that here in Florida. :)
03-07-2013, 01:19 AM
DavidWare

I am really hoping for clear skies, I would love to attempt taking a shot of this. Recommended settings for someone with a T3i at their disposal? I would most likely use my Tokina 11-16, or maybe my 100 2.8 for a close up.
03-07-2013, 11:25 AM
Kayaker72

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer

Would you settle for fuzzy smears of ice on my lens? The forecast is for -39 C and I think the photography is going to be a bit entertaining!

yikes....I just typed "convert -39 C to F" into bing and my computer broke.....

But....that could work....:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrw

Sounds interesting. Have even had a few patches of blue sky and seen some actual sunshine in the past couple of days. Can't believe how cloudy it has been. Wonder if we'll be able to see anything?

I am concerned about the same thing. Earlier this week I felt this odd warmth and brightness while outside...it was the sun....;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busted Knuckles

what is the "-" in front of the number, never seen that here in Florida. :)

:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidWare

I am really hoping for clear skies, I would love to attempt taking a shot of this. Recommended settings for someone with a T3i at their disposal? I would most likely use my Tokina 11-16, or maybe my 100 2.8 for a close up.

I am not one of the forum's stargazers, although it is something I'd like to get into. There was a recent thread here. Only real difference is that you'll probably want to avoid star trails as that would mean the comet is "trailing" too.....
03-08-2013, 04:53 AM
ahab1372

Comet 2011L4

Here is another link that might be useful to find it:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/obser...187930541.html

It is also called Pan-Starr

Dave, rule if thumb that I learned (I'm not an expert):
If you don't want star trails, the longest exposure time is 600 divided by focal length (FF equivalent, for the Rebel multiply the focal length by 1.6). At 15mm that would be 600/(15x1.6) = 600/24_= 25ish seconds

Shoot in manual, wide open, at high ISO. You can try the long exposure noise reduction (in the custom settings). The camera will take a second shot with closed shutter and do some magic math to subtract some of the noise out if the image. Focus manual in Live View at 10x magnification on a bright star in the sky.

The comet will be visible right after sunset, so the sky will be still bright, which means probably lower ISO.

Don't look at the sun through the viewfinder when it is still above the horizon.

Hope that helps,

Arnt
03-08-2013, 11:10 AM
Kayaker72

Thanks Arnt!
03-08-2013, 04:00 PM
ahab1372

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahab1372

Don't look at the sun through the viewfinder when it is still above the horizon.

Btw pointing the camera at the sun in Live View for longer than a few seconds is also not recommended (see the manual - it can damage the sensor). Especially with longer lenses it is not recommended - see Bryan's test here
03-08-2013, 07:23 PM
DavidWare

Thank you!
03-08-2013, 08:08 PM
Kayaker72

Absolutely good advice. To photograph the solar eclipse, I used baader film to protect both my camera and eyes. Apparently, even 10-stop filters let enough IR light through to damage both.

For this comet, it is faint enough that everything I see says that you should be looking 30-45 minutes after sunset.
03-08-2013, 11:18 PM
Photog82

I'm going to try both nights this weekend to capture it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to with it being so low in the horizon. I was able to get a photo of Holmes Comet back in 2007. http://www.jrogdenphotography.com/ni...5956#h22ef5956

ahab's suggestion is right on, it always works for me.
03-09-2013, 10:38 PM
Kayaker72

Comet 2011L4

Nothing in NH. Will give it another shot later this week.
03-11-2013, 02:08 AM
Daniel Browning

I've been looking forward to this for a while, but unfortunately the weather here in Portland is not cooperating. :)

The last comet I photographed (McNaught) was six years ago:

http://thebrownings.name/db/astronom...s/IMG_7824.jpg
03-11-2013, 02:40 AM
Photog82

It clouded over today. Maybe it'll work out later this week.
03-11-2013, 01:43 PM
Kayaker72

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

I've been looking forward to this for a while, but unfortunately the weather here in Portland is not cooperating. :)

At least so far, I don't think you are missing anything. All the photos I've seen are from the southern hemisphere.

A flickr group for Comet Pan-STARRS

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cometpanstarrs/
03-11-2013, 06:58 PM
DavidWare

Partly cloudy all week in my area, I really hope it's clear at night for this.
03-12-2013, 08:20 PM
DavidWare

Doesn't look like its gonna clear up down in Portsmouth, what about your area Brant, any luck?
03-13-2013, 02:16 AM
Kayaker72

Comet 2011L4

Unfortunately no. Most of the east coast is clouded over. I'll give it another shot Thursday or Friday.
03-13-2013, 02:22 AM
DavidWare

I was thinking the same. I have a nice little spot I plan on going too.
03-13-2013, 03:09 AM
HDNitehawk

By the time it became visible, and I was able to adjust I had time for about 6 pictures.
It is not visible or just barely with the naked eye. Tonight I was hoping it would be closer to the moon. A bit of distance between the two and it would have been barely visible with a wider lens.

This was shot with the 500mm and 1D IV.

Not great but here it is.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8...f88a6287_z.jpg
Comet (1001 of 1) by hdnitehawk01, on Flickr
03-13-2013, 03:09 AM
Busted Knuckles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

I've been looking forward to this for a while, but unfortunately the weather here in Portland is not cooperating. :)

The last comet I photographed (McNaught) was six years ago:

Dan!!! Glad to see you are still at least lurking - always enjoyed your commentary and insights.
03-13-2013, 03:22 AM
HDNitehawk

700mm

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8...4b1fd768_z.jpg Comet (1002 of 1) by hdnitehawk01, on Flickr
03-13-2013, 05:59 PM
DavidWare

Great shots, but now I'm kinda worried because I only have 250mm of reach. Looks like it might be clear tonight though, so we'll see
03-13-2013, 11:16 PM
Kayaker72

Comet 2011L4

Congrats Rick. Nice shots. I am glad you got some.

David you 250 mm on a cropped sensor is equivalent to 400 mm on a FF. you've got the reach. It's just the matter of finding the comet and having some clear nights.