by Anthony Ayiomamitis
Comet C/2009 R1 (McNaught) illustrated above while passing through the constellation of Andromenda and within the immediate vicinity of the edge-on galaxy NGC 891 was discovered on Sept 9, 2009 by Siding Spring Observatory astronomer Robert McNaught in five plates and was estimated to be magnitude 17.3 to 17.5. Continuous monitoring has revealed a continuing brightening of the nucleus and which is now expected to reach mag 2 by the end of June and early parts of July when it will finally be lost in the morning twilight. Perihelion has been estimated to be July 2, 2010.
For an ephemeris and orbital elements on this hyperbolic comet from Harvard's Minor Planet Center, click
here. For a simulation of the comet including various orbital elements and physical parameters, click
here.
Technical Details:
Date: June 8, 2010 @ 03:15 - 04:07 UT+3
Location: Athens, Greece (38.2997° N, 23.7430° E)
Equipment: AP 160/f7.5 StarFire EDF, AP 1200GTO GEM, SBIG ST-10XME, SBIG CFW10, SBIG LRGB filters
Exposure: LRGB @ 10:10:10:10 using 1-min subs, 1x1 binning, -17.5° C, 1.17"/pixel
Further details are available here.