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Comet 17P/Holmes

rising with the constellation of Perseus

Animation of these images

Date:1.11.2007 Time:21:55 UT Exposure:8s
Field of View:27o x 18o Camera:Nikon D200 Filter:none
Optics:f=50mm, 1/1.4 Place:Tübingen, Germany Observer:Till Credner

© Copyright by the observers

This image shows comet 17P/Holmes as a bright and slightly greenish object rising above the trees. About two hours with 622 exposures are compressed in a 20 seconds lasting video clip.

The comet was easily visible to the naked eye with about 2nd or 3rd magnitude. However, it did not show a prominent tail, but looked quite diffuse in comparison to the surrounding stars. On October 24th some kind of explosion, the reason is still under debate, has driven an incredible outburst in brightness. As a result an expanding dust shell and a gas coma, glowing greenish-blue from the light of neutral CN and C2 gas were visible.