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Re: (meteorobs) Comet Hale-Bopp 3/2

At 08:58 02-03-97 -0500, you wrote:
>-- [ From: Robert Lunsford * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
> Expanded recipient data:
> To:   Penny Orell              \ PRODIGY:     (GYLK34B)
> To:   Theresa Fesperman        \ PRODIGY:     (EDUT95B)
> To:   Tom Hickcox              \ PRODIGY:     (JJLN99A)
>
>I intended to just take a quick peek through binoculars but I was so
>impressed I just had to uncover the 16" and take a peek. To the unaided
>eye the comet is near magnitude +0.4, between the brightness of Altair
>and Vega. It seems to be gaining 0.1 magnitude per day this week. An
>easy 5 degree tail was visible without binoculars. The yellow color is
>becoming evident to the naked eye.
>
>Through binoculars (11X80's) the southern jet is easily seen and the
>tail easily stretches the entire length of the 4.5 degree field. Through
>the telescope I started at low magnifications (30X) and increased as I
>went on. At 57X I began to notice irregularities in the plume of the
>southern jet. At 91X it was clear that the western edge of the plume was
>jagged due to dark arcs or gaps in the material. It reminded me of
>diffraction rings seen at high power only these covered 90 degrees and
>not a full 360 degrees. The eastern edge of the plume was smooth and
>sharp.The southern jet was so intense it created the impression of a
>false or secondary nucleus. These features were still sharp at 218X and
>filled a majority of the field of view. It also seems that increased
>magnification dulls the yellow color somewhat into a creamy off white
>color.
>
>Comet Hale-Bopp has developed nicely and I cannot wait until the moon is
>out of the way to get a real good look without all the glare that is now
>present. 
>
>Bob Lunsford
>


Hello Bob and others!

Yep, agree to that: don't forget HB through the telescope...! Even
relatively small telescopes show a wealth of detail without having to go
into the limits for it. On february 19th my 4.5" newtonian (in urban
environment: LM zenith ~6.3) with 36-100x powers showed impressive  curled
jets, envellopes and nuclear shade. Surprised and impressed me above all
means! So want to take more peeks tru my newtonian coming weeks, try to
catch it in a drawing. As far as the coma detail aspect is concerned, HB is
already more impressive than Hyakutake was in my opinion. Hyakutake also
showed yets (tru 6"), but not so clearly. I am really curious what  else HB
has in us for store coming weeks...

-Marco (Netherlands)
References: