[BAA Comets] C/2012 X1 outburst comparision

[DENIS BUCZYNSKI]

Hello all, 

Richard Miles  (BAA) has undertaken further image processing of images taken this evening by Denis Buczynski at Tarbatness and comments as follows:

Attached is the result of an analysis of the 
structure within the expanding halo reproduced in false colour at twice normal 
image size to show the detail present.
 It looks to me more like 29P than 17P.


The reason is in part that the magnitude increase 
of the C/2012 X1 outburst is similar to that of the more energetic 29P ones, 
viz. some 5-6 magnitudes. That of 17P was a megaoutburst at 13-14 
magnitudes!
 
Fascinating the way somets behave so unexpectedly. 
This is especially so given that C/2012 X1 was well before perihelion (to be 
precise it was at a true anomaly of about -66 degrees). 17P outburst after 
perihelion.
 
I encourage folk to follow the development of this 
present phenomenon taking as many images as poss so they can be stacked for 
analysis.


Richard Miles  
The comparison images are located at the following link on the BAA Comet Gallery:

 http://britastro.org/baa/index.php?view=detail&id=1704&option=com_joomgallery&Itemid=200

Denis Buczynski
Secretary Comet Section
British Astronomical Association