Comet Observations by Carl Hergenrother

Observations of Comet 73P-B/Schwassman-Wachmann 3

All observations by Carl Hergenrother, Lunar and Planetary Lab (LPL), University of Arizona & Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)

2006 Apr. 08.51, 09.43, 11.38, 12.29, 13.27, 15.39, 16.30, 17.49, 18.31, 19.49, 20.31, 21.28, 27.25, 30.40, May 1.3, 4.47, 5.47, 7.41, 8.47, 9.47, 11.47, 12.45, 14.46 UT

73P-B

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 8.51 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
4 x 30-second co-added image  
1.8" seeing through variable cirrus
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 9.43 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
21 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.3" seeing through variable cirrus
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 11.38 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
21 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
2.0" seeing, photometric 
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 12.29 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
45 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.5" seeing, photometric
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

The diffuse feature to the upper left of the comet is a cross-talk artifact. 
The KeplerCam CCD camera has a number of amplifiers that read out parts of the 
chip at the same time. This speeds up the readout. If a bright saturated star 
is located on one amplifier, its ghost image will appear on all the other 
amplifiers. It is a cross-talk artifact and not another component of 73P.

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 13.27 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
17 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.6" seeing, photometric
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 15.39 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
30 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
2.0-2.5" seeing, very light cirrus, near full moon
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 16.30 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
20 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.3" seeing, photometric, bright moon
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 17.49 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
11 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.7" seeing, photometric, bright moon, twilight
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 18.31 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
16 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 
1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 19.49 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
9 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 20.31 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
21 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, photometric, bright moon
log display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 21.28 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter
21 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon
linear display
7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 27.25 UT
Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with a R filter
40 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.1" seeing, photometric
processed display
2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 30.40 UT
Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with a R filter
41 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.1" seeing, photometric
processed display
2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 1.3 UT
Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with186 a R filter
51 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.1" seeing, photometric
processed display
2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B

73P-B on 2006 May 4.47 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
21 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, non-photometric
processed display
6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 5.47 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan r filter
36 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 7.41 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan r filter
31 x 8-second averaged image (5 brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 8.47 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
26 x 8-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 9.47 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
51 x 5-second averaged image (5 brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.5" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 11.47 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
30 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.3" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 12.45 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
25 x 40-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays)
1.4" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 14.46 UT
SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter
15 x 40-second averaged image (3 brightest pixels rejected to eliminate cosmic rays and stars)
1.4" seeing, photometric
processed display
6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Observations of Comet 73P-B/Schwassman-Wachmann 3

All observations by Carl Hergenrother, Lunar and Planetary Lab (LPL), University of Arizona & Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)

2006 Apr. 08.51, 09.43, 11.38, 12.29, 13.27, 15.39, 16.30, 17.49, 18.31, 19.49, 20.31, 21.28, 27.25, 30.40, May 1.3, 4.47, 5.47, 7.41, 8.47, 9.47, 11.47, 12.45, 14.46 UT

73P-B

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 8.51 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 4 x 30-second co-added image 1.8" seeing through variable cirrus log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 9.43 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 21 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.3" seeing through variable cirrus log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 11.38 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 21 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 2.0" seeing, photometric log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 13.27 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 17 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.6" seeing, photometric log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 15.39 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 30 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 2.0-2.5" seeing, very light cirrus, near full moon log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 16.30 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 20 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.3" seeing, photometric, bright moon log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 17.49 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 11 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.7" seeing, photometric, bright moon, twilight log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 18.31 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 16 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 19.49 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 9 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 20.31 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 21 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, photometric, bright moon log display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 21.28 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with Sloan i filter 21 x 15-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.6" seeing, photometric, bright moon linear display 7.5' by 6' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

Contour plot of central 20" x 20"

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 27.25 UT Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with a R filter 40 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.1" seeing, photometric processed display 2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 Apr. 30.40 UT Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with a R filter 41 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.1" seeing, photometric processed display 2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 1.3 UT Vatican 1.8-meter at Mount Graham (MPC code 290) with186 a R filter 51 x 30-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.1" seeing, photometric processed display 2.9' by 2.7' FOV (plate scale 0.56" / pixel)

73P-B

73P-B on 2006 May 4.47 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 21 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, non-photometric processed display 6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 5.47 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan r filter 36 x 10-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, photometric processed display 6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 7.41 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan r filter 31 x 8-second averaged image (5 brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, photometric processed display 6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 8.47 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 26 x 8-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, photometric processed display 6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 9.47 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 51 x 5-second averaged image (5 brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.5" seeing, photometric processed display 6.7' by 5.8' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 11.47 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 30 x 20-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.3" seeing, photometric processed display 6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 12.45 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 25 x 40-second averaged image (brightest pixel rejected to eliminate cosmic rays) 1.4" seeing, photometric processed display 6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

73P-B on 2006 May 14.46 UT SAO 1.2-meter at Mount Hopkins (MPC code 696) with a Sloan i filter 15 x 40-second averaged image (3 brightest pixels rejected to eliminate cosmic rays and stars) 1.4" seeing, photometric processed display 6.9' by 5.0' FOV (plate scale 0.67" / pixel)

A processed view... Zoomed in on the main nucleus (processed image)...

A processed view...

Zoomed in on the main nucleus (processed image)...