[Atmob-discuss] Comet 17P/Holmes

[John Boudreau]

Very nice catch Mario!

Visually in a 140mm refractor at 88x, I saw a faint but noticeable 'spline' appearing to come off a starlike nucleus plus 2 large and essentially concentric shells. Perhaps that 'spline' is the jet-like feature you've recorded. Unfortunately mount electronics gremlins prevented me from doing any imaging--- hopefully I've cured then for the next clear night. I hope the outburst lasts for a while...

BTW--- Since others have reported possible changes in the appearance of the region of the nucleus over a few hours, for comparison purposes it may help to post the time of the images in their descriptions.

---John


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mario Motta" <drmariomotta at gmail.com>
To: <mmotta at massmed.org>
Cc: "AAVSO-DIS" <aavso-discussion at mira.aavso.org>; <atmob-discuss at atmob.org>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 2:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] Comet 17P/Holmes


> Sorry, here is the direct link to the comet Holmes image, the other is 
> the gallery itself:
> 
> http://www.atmob.org/gallery/showimage.php?id=704
> 
> Mario Motta wrote:
>> OK, I just uploaded an image of Comet Holmes, about mag 2 visual.
>> it is on the ATMOB website, wingaersheek gallery. Direct link:
>>
>> http://www.atmob.org/gallery/showgallery.php?id=43
>>
>> This is without doubt one of the weirdest things I have ever seen! 
>> Visually it has a dense central core, with a small fan splaying to the 
>> west, surrounded by a large shell, looks like 2 concentric shells. Has 
>> the appearance of a planetary nebula with a bright central star.
>> I suspect it must have split in at least 2 pieces and must be spewing 
>> out volatiles. But why, and so far from the sun?? Anyone got real data 
>> on this thing?
>>
>> Mario Motta
>>
>>
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