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Comet 104P/Kowal January 2022

2022 February 22
tags: , , , , ,
by Russ

In late January, Comet 104P/Kowal was high in the western sky during early evening. I was able to capture images of it on January 23rd and 29th.

Comet 104P/Kowal January 23, 2022. Field of view 17×13 arcminutes (cropped from original 20.7×15.5 arcminutes). North is up. East is left. [1]

On January 23rd (above), 104P/Kowal was moving briskly at 3.03 arcseconds per minute. Because I was not guiding on the comet, this movement limited exposures to a maximum of 60 seconds to avoid trailing of the comet’s image. The comet’s magnitude measured in the green channel was 12.77.  There is no tail apparent in these images, although there is a hint of a very short tail pointing to the northeast (upper left).

Comet 104P/Kowal January 29, 2022.  Field of view approximately 20×15 arcminutes. North is up. East is left. [2]

By January 29th (above), 104P/Kowal had faded considerably. It’s magnitude measured in the green channel was 14.53. But, it was still moving quite rapidly as shown in the animation below.

Comet 104P/Kowal January 29, 2022. Twenty minute animation sequence. Field of view 15.6×11.2 arcminutes (cropped from original 20.7×15.5 arcminutes). North is up. East is left. [3]

In this animation, 104P/Kowal is moving quickly along a northeasterly path at 3.17 arcseconds per minute. With a  faint suggestion of a tail pointing to the northeast, the comet appears to be moving backwards, or chasing its tail.

Notes:

1. Comet 104P/Kowal January 23, 2022 01:52:14-02:26:25 UT.  16 x 60seconds. Telescope: Meade SN-8 (203 mm f/4 Schmidt-Newtonian). Camera: ZWO ASI224MC with UV/IR Cut Filter.

2. Comet 104P/Kowal January 29, 2022 03:31:24-03:51:06 UT.  19 (2 x 60seconds). Telescope: Meade SN-8 (203 mm f/4 Schmidt-Newtonian). Camera: ZWO ASI224MC with UV/IR Cut Filter.

3. Comet 104P/Kowal January 29, 2022 03:31:24-03:51:06 UT. Twenty minute animation sequence.  19 images (2 x 60 seconds).  Telescope: Meade SN-8 (203 mm f/4 Schmidt-Newtonian). Camera: ZWO ASI224MC with UV/IR Cut Filter.

 

from → Comets, Solar System

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