Comet Machholz C/2004 Q2

Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)

Observations from 10th of December 2004 to 11th of January 2005, South Germany, Bavaria

The Gif above shows the movement of the comet in a time of 15 minutes

The celestrial way of the comet

©Karten mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Gregorio Drayer, Caracas Venezuela

1.11.05, Last observations

A nice surprise. Long terme exposures let the dust tail appear bright an clearly. In dark areas you have now the chance to see the tail very weak with the naked eye (~mag 3,5). But the new moon phase make good observations and photos senceless in the next days.

Canon EOS 20 D, Nikon 300 mm f 1:4 Bel.3 x 120 sec, ASA 1600,

M.R; Canon EOS 300 D Nikon 200mm 2,0 30sec, f 2,8

8.1.05; The Plejades passage of the comet

A very thin dust tail touches the seven sisters constellation

mr Canon EOS 300 D Nikkon 135 1:2,0 30sec tb Canon EOS 20 D, Nikon 300 mm f 1:2,8 Bel.3x 120 sec, ASA 800

On the left image Martin did hide the comet, where is it?

Photos taken in the Central Sahara (South Algeria mr) and Germerswang near Fuerstenfeldbruck tb

Photos from 1.5.05 (Fürstenfeldbruck, Bavaria)

Canon EOS 20 D, Nikon 300 mm f 1:2,8 - 4 Bel.3x 90 sec, ASA 800

The two tails (up dust, downleft iones, ~mag 3,8).Do not worry, this view you can only reach by the astro photography. Take magnifiying glases in a real dark area, may you can see more details.

Auerberg (Bavaria) 14.12.04

The Comet Machholz is estimated by us with the brighness of mag 4.4. On the 8th of January he will maybe get his highlight of 3,0 - 3,5 mag or brighter. After 01.21.05 the comet is circumpolar, may you can observe this object after the 31rst of Dec. during the whole night with the naked eye .

Canon EOS 300 D, Nikon 300 mm f 1:2,8 - 4 Bel.3x 180 sec, ASA 800

The dust tial with a length of 2° stands in an angle of 120° (right) to the gas track

Sudelfeld, Bavarian Alps, 10.12.04

(TB)Canon EOS 300 D, Nikon 300 mm f 1:4 Bel. 150 sec ASA 800

Go to deep sky

*mag = > light magnitude: Up to mag +3-4 stars are visible nearby cities with the naked eye, in very dark areas the seeing limit can reach up to mag +6-7.

The more higher numerical value is given, the more weaker are the objects. E.g. - 4,7 mag, Venus glittering; - 1,0 Sirius, brightest star; 3,5 M31 Andromeda, pale shiny oval)