C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

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C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#1

Post by j.gardavsky »


Hello all,

even if the weather has been lousy cold and windy, I took out the 15x85 binos, forgetting about the COVID-19 risk.

During the dark adaptation phase, I have been gazing at the galaxies M81/M82, and M51, all of them faint, not much up.
And then some open clusters: The Pleiades, the Alpha Persei Moving group (Mel 20), M38 - M36 - M37 in Auriga, and M35 in Gemini, then M103 and NGC 663 in Cassiopeia. The obligatory Double Cluster and the St 2 have followed.
Checking my eyes and my skies, I have tried the popular nebulae in Auriga, the Flame IC 405, and the Tadpoles IC 410. They both have been just at the edge of visibility.

And now, it has been about to take the observing session seriously.
During the first trial, I have started the search from Iota Cas, but without success.
After a short break, I have started another search from the Pazmino Cluster St 23 towards north to north-west, and in a random walk across the stars, a comfortably bright cotton ball has emerged.
To be dead sure, I have repeated the search and finding a few times.

Place: Backyard
Date and time: 25th March, 2020, around 21:15 local time
Binoculars: 15x85 BA8
Observing conditions: Miserable 4.5mag

Give it a try, it is a nicely visible comet
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#2

Post by helicon »


Nice catch JG. I will definitely give it a try.
I found this page describing it's appearance....it is approximately 1.72 AUs from the sun. It's orbital period is over 300,000 years.

https://in-the-sky.org/data/object.php?id=CK17T020
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#3

Post by Juno16 »


Really nice JG!

Those 15x85’s must be awesome! I tried M81 in the 5” newt last night and it was barely a smudge. Great catch!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#4

Post by helicon »


I also have to admit Jim that M81 and M82 in the 6" achro aren't as impressive as in the 10" Dob. Though I can get nice separation of the two within a 2+ degree field of view at low power. To see NGC 3077 I need the 10" however.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#5

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Nice JG. As astronomy is a solitary pursuit I wouldn't worry about the bug.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#6

Post by 10538 »


Hello JG! Glad to hear you’re out under the stars! Thanks for sharing your session with C/2017 T2! I’m hoping to get a chance to view it tomorrow night. Good to hear you’re doing well my friend! :text-thankyoublue:
Ed :Astronomer1:
Scopes: Orion 14 inch f/4.6 Dobsonian w/MoonLite focuser. Meade LX200 Classic 10”w/AudioStar and MoonLite focuser, Criterion RV6, Orion ST80A w/2” GSO micro focuser.
Eyepieces: ES 5.5mm 100*, 6.7mm 82*, 11mm 82*, 14mm 100*, 18mm 82*, 20mm 100*, Meade 9mm XWA 100*, 24mm UWA 82*, 56mm 50*, TV Delos 6,8 & 10mm, Panoptic 24, 27 & 35mm, 17mm Nagler, Powermate 2X, Baader 6mm Ortho, Paracorr II.
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#7

Post by John Baars »


Hello JG!
Thanks for sharing your report.
Glad to read another report by you!
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#8

Post by j.gardavsky »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 12:30 am Nice JG. As astronomy is a solitary pursuit I wouldn't worry about the bug.
Hello not_Fritz,

this has been my first observing session since the 7th Februar, when together with another astronomy friend we have compared our refractors and our eyepieces.
As since that time the weather has been very unfriendly, I did not want to take a risk of catching cold, even if the backyard is Covid-free.

And yesterday night, my wife has seen some comets on the TV, and sent me out to a "night watch".

So, that's the full story behind my comets hounts Wednesday,
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#9

Post by NGC 1365 »


Great catch JG, thanks for sharing.
Ivan
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


Good job on another comet JG! I hve barely managed it in January with 4" refractor, should revisit.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#11

Post by Makuser »


Hello JG. C/2017 T2 - PANSTARRS was a great catch in the 15x85 binoculars. Thanks for yet another great binoculars observing report from you JG, and the very best of regards.
Marshall
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#12

Post by DeanD »


j.gardavsky wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:24 pm
notFritzArgelander wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 12:30 am Nice JG. As astronomy is a solitary pursuit I wouldn't worry about the bug.
And yesterday night, my wife has seen some comets on the TV, and sent me out to a "night watch".

So, that's the full story behind my comets hounts Wednesday,
JG
Hi JG,

Great to hear you are still observing, and with those fantastic binos.

I had a play with my Tak 22x60's the other night, trialling my binocular mirror mount (which uses a surplus periscope mirror), and got some great views from my suburban sky. The mirror does a great job: perhaps a very slight loss of contrast compared to straight through; but this is more than made up for but being able to sit down and look down with a stable view. My neck loves it! I even mounted a green laser, pointing vertically away from the binos so I can point the mount. It worked really well: I could adjust it to see the beam in my FOV beautifully.

The "trapezium" was clearly visible, as was the angel-wing nebulosity of M42. I could just pick up the Flame nebula, and looking south I had some magical views of Eta Carina, the Southern Pleiades, 47 Tuc, Omega Centauri and the Tarantula. I can't see C/2017 T2 from here though...

BTW, is being sent out by the wife to a "night watch" another way of saying she kicked you out because she wants some peace and space? ;)

All the best, and keep well.

- Dean
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#13

Post by j.gardavsky »


Hello Dean,

thank you for sharing your observing session through the famous 22x60 Tak under the beautiful southern skies!

"BTW, is being sent out by the wife to a "night watch" another way of saying she kicked you out because she wants some peace and space?"

It has been really honest on part of my wife.
She is not interested, besides one night in year watching the Perseids, but she is supporting my hobby with the one or another kind word.

Best,
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#14

Post by terrynak »


Thanks for the report JG and the reminder that Comet PanSTARRS is out there. I'm going to wait until it gets brighter - in late April or early May - so I have a chance to spot it from urban skies.
Scopes: Reflectors, refractors, and 1 catadioptric. Ranging in aperture from 50mm to 150mm.
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Re: C/2017 T2 (PANSTARRS) through the binoculars, 25th March, 2020

#15

Post by DeanD »


j.gardavsky wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:36 pm Hello Dean,

thank you for sharing your observing session through the famous 22x60 Tak under the beautiful southern skies!

"BTW, is being sent out by the wife to a "night watch" another way of saying she kicked you out because she wants some peace and space?"

It has been really honest on part of my wife.
She is not interested, besides one night in year watching the Perseids, but she is supporting my hobby with the one or another kind word.

Best,
JG
Hi JG,

I thought that was the case: I am also lucky in that my wife is very similar: she is not interested in astronomy, although she did spend at least 30 seconds one day looking at Saturn(!), but she is supportive. In fact it is her fault that I have my TSA 102 refractor: after I had my equipment stolen a number of years ago I had a succession of scopes that simply weren't up to the job (the last being a Megrez 110 that couldn't cope with any magnification above 100x): and she said "Why don't you just get the best you can?" I think she was fed up with my complaints about the telescope...

All the best as you keep looking up, if only from your backyard. Hopefully it won't be long before we can all travel to dark skies again (here in South Oz we have just cancelled 3 upcoming trips to our lovely Flinders Ranges).

Keep safe,

Dean
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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