[BAA Comets] C/2012 X1 outburst

[Nick James]

Morning all,

My image from this morning is here:

http://www.nickdjames.com/Comets/2013/2012x1_20131026_0500_ndj.jpg

The coma diameter measured on the same basis has increased from 203 to 
264 arcsec in 2d. At the comet's distance of 2.95au this corresponds to 
an increase in projected diameter of around 65,000 km/day.

A comparison of the diameters is here:

http://www.nickdjames.com/Comets/2013/2012x1_comparison_ndj.jpg

It is remarkable how similar the coma looks in terms of it's internal 
structure. I'd be interested in an explanation of what we are seeing.

Nick.