[BAA Comets] C/2004 Q2 vs C/2014 Q2

[Andrew Robertson]

I think Machholz frames the Pleiades much better but doesn't detract for your very nice image. Crap skies here in Norfolk last night, as claggy as they get whilst still being able to see stars. I was down to a NELM of about 4.8, my best SQM reading was only 20.35 and that was overhead. Gave up at 2am.

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Comets-disc [mailto:comets-disc-bounces at britastro.org] On Behalf Of Nick James
Sent: 17 January 2015 08:48
To: BAA Comets discussion list
Subject: [BAA Comets] C/2004 Q2 vs C/2014 Q2

Morning all,

A good clear night here in Essex last night with a good view of the comet a various different scales.

It'sn interesting coincidence but two similar bright comets with the designation Q2 passed by the Pleiades 10 years apart.

C/2004 Q2 (Machholz) was at its best in January 2005 and it made a close approach to the Pleiades on January 8th. It had ion and dust tails separated by over 90 deg in PA.

http://www.britastro.org/cometobs/2004q2/2004q2_20050108_1740_ndj.jpg

C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) is doing the same thing now but only has the faint ion tail.

http://www.nickdjames.com/Comets/2015/2014q2_20150116_2100_ndj.jpg

Both these pictures were taken with the same lens but the 2004 one used a Canon EOS 10D. The 2014 one was with a Canon 550D.

Nick.
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