2023-01-13, 05:54 PM
This comet currently has a broad stubby dust tail. But it also has a faint thin ion tail that is much longer. It takes a full physical simulation and some serious computing power to predict the position and distribution of the dust tail, which is currently beyond what SkyTools can do. But it can predict the position of the ion tail, which always points away from the sun.
When I get the chance to have a look myself, I'm going to try to detect the ion tail and see how far I can follow it. Binoculars may be best for this. I will look at it in the direction that SkyTools draws the tail on the charts. It may be too faint to detect, but it may also be that people are just missing it. If you manage to see it, please post here!
When I get the chance to have a look myself, I'm going to try to detect the ion tail and see how far I can follow it. Binoculars may be best for this. I will look at it in the direction that SkyTools draws the tail on the charts. It may be too faint to detect, but it may also be that people are just missing it. If you manage to see it, please post here!
Clear skies,
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound
Greg
Head Dude at Skyhound