2023a3 20241014 200623 ndj

I have finally had some time to start processing the images I brought back from La Palma. This is a 50mm lens view from a camera on a fixed tripod which was taking 4s exposures which I will use in a timelapse. An example of an individual frame is here. The images have been calibrated and then stacked using sigma-clipping to get rid of the satellites. An exponential fit to the sky gradient was then removed from the final stack.

At the time this image was taken the comet's head was around 6 degrees above the horizon and the 90% illuminated Moon was behind the camera hence the bright background. The camera at the bottom of the frame in the middle is the one that took this image. This was on the day of the orbit plane crossing and the anti-tail points down to the horizon. The main dust tail appears to split and curve upwards after ten degrees or so.

The view of the long tail with the naked eye was impressive despite the Moon.

Nick.