Joined: May 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 4,634 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA, Earth,
07 March - Comet Pojmanski from Chicago... « Thread Started on Mar 7, 2006, 10:02am »
Comet C/2006 A1 Pojmanski Observed from Under the Bright Lights of Chicago
I have been anxious for a comet hunting session for some time now with the news of Pojmanski entering our northern skies, but the weather has been anti-astronomy in the early mornings.
At about 3:45 am, Chicago Astronomer Bill called up and invited me to join him in a Pojmanski search off Chicago shores. I had planned this morning to see if I could spot it solo from my backyard in the Heart of Chicago anyway as the clear sky clock showed promise, but a lakeside eastern vantage point over the lake is always better and I jumped at the opportunity.
Got my equipment ready, donned on warm apparel and off we went. We arrived at a good "dark - " location around 4:45am off of Lake Shore Dr. and set up our equipment. The skies were clear, stars were out and we tried to see the comet with our naked eyes, but to no avail...
We used our binoculars to target it, and damn it...it always seems like Bill spots the objects first. He got it in his binoculars and with guidance, I soon followed with my own 10X50's. It was about 20 degrees (?) in elevation and below of Altair. (It's nice to see the summer constellations again!) I passed over it a number of times, but with concentrated observation it just popped out into view. The coma was plainly visible as a faint glowing smudge, but no tail was discernible. I then guided my 4.5" reflector on it using my trusty Rigel star finder and there it was in my 60mm finder...and it was quite apparent that what I was observing was indeed a comet...
Using the main OTA I tried to kick up the magnification, but it was best seen in lower mags using a 25mm wide field eyepiece. Shading my eyes from the street lamps and using averted vision, I could swear I could see just the slightest hint of a pale greenish hue, but that could be just the excitement of the sighting. Bill decided on taking 35mm film exposures of the comet sans telescope and I anticipate his photographic results soon, and will post them here on the Chicago Astronomer.
When we arrived the weather was cold, but fine for observing. But as dawn approached, it got colder and the dew on the instruments turned to frost. First time I ever had frost on my telescope! The comet was still visible optically as the horizon glowed from the approaching sunrise - with just a hint in binoculars. As the sun rose higher, the clouds started to roll in and became quite overcast and foggy.
We congratulated each other and I was quite surprised that Comet Pojmanski was plainly visible from under the bright lights of Chicago, but indeed it was. After a joint breakfast we went home for some well deserved sleep.
It's amazing what still can be seen seen from light polluted urban skies...
Joined: May 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 4,634 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA, Earth,
Re: 07 March - Comet Pojmanski from Chicago... « Reply #5 on Mar 9, 2006, 1:37am »
Kalvis,
Thanks for the kudos and I think this is what astronomy is all about.
Reagrding Comet Pojmanski...Here is an object whizzing by us, shedding material and not to be seen again by the same eyes. Remarkable!
I remember as a kid with my simple 60mm Montgomery Ward refractor in the freezing bitter cold in my back yard picking out the winter targets. My dad thought me crazy, but I really enjoyed it. The folly of youth I call it. I prefer more comfortable conditions now, but something special and rare will bring me out regardless.
And, it is good to have members and friends to share this with, with each one kicking in something to make the session special. I am blessed to have such knowledgable and passionate people around me.
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde 1854-1900
atomant Chicago Astronomer Apprentice member is offline
Joined: Jul 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 74 Location: chicago, il
Re: 07 March - Comet Pojmanski from Chicago... « Reply #6 on Mar 10, 2006, 9:30pm »
A salute to Pulaski Day?, a send off for Kirby?, a shuttle for poisonous gas?...
Nah, just a dirty snowball coming through Chicago.
It's good to have Joe as a partner in crime to spread this insidious passion for astronomy.
Snaking through downtown amid the impromptu Immigrants' parade, I finally picked up the pics from that early morning. Joe and I found a nice shoreline without lights. Here is a pic with the Dolphin and the Eagle rising above the treeline. Venus is peeking through the trees.
Here is a closeup of the Comet hanging below the Dolphin's tail. No visible comet tail though. It was next to Kappa Delphini. Through the scopes, the Comet made a nice pairing with the star. It was also helpful as a guide for focusing.
The blur is Joe in action, switching between binocular and scopes.
Here's hoping for more to observe this year. Mercury transit??!!
Re: 07 March - Comet Pojmanski from Chicago... « Reply #7 on Mar 11, 2006, 12:29pm »
good show Joe, to be able to see the comet . We should got the doanne opened to see it . Salute the master Bill again - i have a feeling he does not need star charts anymore arvind
Joined: May 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 4,634 Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA, Earth,
Re: 07 March - Comet Pojmanski from Chicago... « Reply #8 on Mar 11, 2006, 3:09pm »
Bill,
I think that the first shot of the trees against the blackness over the lake is incredible!... It's so surreal and not what I expected to come out. I think it's magazine caliber and I highly recommend a submission to them, and Spaceweather.com. You can even catch some Venus shine on the surface of the lake.
Arvind....I think you are correct and Master Bill should DRAW the star charts... #Thumbsup#
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" location around 4:45am off of Lake Shore Dr. and set up our equipment. The skies were clear, stars were out and we tried to see the comet with our naked eyes, but to no avail... 
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and the Chevelle is the perfect way to see the stars . ahhhhh %20:-[
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It's so surreal and not what I expected to come out. I think it's magazine caliber and I highly recommend a submission to them, and Spaceweather.com. You can even catch some Venus shine on the surface of the lake.