Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Thread: Comet 2011L4

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,565

    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:




    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.
    Last edited by Kayaker72; 03-06-2013 at 08:56 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Santa Clara, CA, USA
    Posts
    694
    Thanks Brant, I'll try to give it a shot. Time for a night drive to the Lick observatories
    Arnt

  3. #3
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,565
    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'

  4. #4
    Senior Member Jonathan Huyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Canmore, Alberta
    Posts
    1,247
    Quote Originally Posted by Kayaker72 View Post
    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'
    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!

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Big Mouse Florida
    Posts
    1,168
    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer View Post
    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.
    If you see me with a wrench, call 911

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Portsmouth, NH
    Posts
    336
    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.

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,565
    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer View Post
    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....

    Quote Originally Posted by jrw View Post
    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 View Post
    what is the "-" in front of the number, never seen that here in Florida.


    Quote Originally Posted by DavidWare View Post
    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.....
    Last edited by Kayaker72; 03-07-2013 at 11:28 AM.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Santa Clara, CA, USA
    Posts
    694

    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
    Arnt

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Kayaker72's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    5,565
    Thanks Arnt!

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Santa Clara, CA, USA
    Posts
    694
    Quote Originally Posted by ahab1372 View Post
    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
    Last edited by ahab1372; 03-08-2013 at 07:43 PM.
    Arnt

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •