Observer Corner for March 2018
By Professor Hal Jandorf
COMETS I’VE KNOWN
OBSERVED and PHOTOGRAPHED for over 50 YEARS
COMET KOHOUTEK 1973.
This “Comet of the Century” did not live up to the expectations and magnitudes.
However, it was the first comet I saw with a tail. Great view with Jupiter and Venus in the twilight sky.
Kanan Road, Agoura, Minolta SRT-101, 55mm, f/1.7, 15 seconds. Period: 75,000 years
COMET WEST 1976
Absolutely SPECTACULAR! This is what a comet should look like. It rose tail first before sunrise in March 1976 .
I observed the tail develop into a blue (gas) and white (dust) components in an entire month!
Hughes Road, Castaic, Minolta SRT-101, 55mm, f/1.7, 15 seconds. Period: Unknown
COMET HALLEY 1986
After a decade of bright comets, Halley took over. HALLEY FEVER. Unfortunately, the distance from Earth and light pollution gave a lack-luster show, only seen best in dark sky. Many people did not see it due to the poor apparition.
Lake Los Angeles (in the desert), Minolta SRT-101, 55mm, f/1.7, 1 minute Period: 76 years
COMET HYAKUTAKE 1996
Another decade of comet drought and a surprise! Hyakutake was small, but passed very close to the Earth, showing a spectacular blue ion (gas) tail. The tail extended 40 degrees from the view of the mountains without light pollution.
Lockwood Valley, Frazier Park, Minolta SRT-101, 55mm f/1.7, 1 minute. Notice the bright star Arcturus in the image. Period: 113,782 years
COMET HALE-BOPP 1997
This was no surprise. This comet was discovered well before it reached perihelion and is really performed in March 1997. Many people saw it as it reached way brighter than first magnitude! This was the “People’s Comet!
Hungry Road off the 5 freeway, Minolta SRT-101, 135mm, f/1.7, 1 minute Period: 2533 years
COMET HOLMES 2007
A distant comet farther than Mars went through a disturbance and increased size and brightness. Easily viewed in the unaided eye.
As a puff in the sky. No tail, though.
Taken with the Canon Rebel DSLR, 200 mm, Moorpark College Observatory. Period: 6.88 years
Clear Skies
--Hal Jandorf
COMET PanSTARRS 2013
This comet was small, but shows a beautiful sight with the moon earthshine crescent after sunset at Moorpark College Observatory.
Canon rebel DSLR 200mm, 1 seconds Period: 106,000 years
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