Comet PanSTARRS buzzes the Andromeda Galaxy

Last month I posted my plan to photograph C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) as it approached the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). I was successful, but never got around to blogging about it, so here goes! On April 2, 2013 I went to Slippery Elm Trail at dusk to wait until the comet and galaxy were visible low in the NW sky.

I had all but given up on Andromeda for the season, because the view to the west from my apartment is blocked below 40º or so. This far into Spring, Andromeda is well behind the building by sunset, and so low in the sky by the time it gets dark that taking detailed deep sky images with my camera probably wouldn't yield anything beyond a fuzzy blob. However, paired with a comet, a fuzzy blob would be a welcome target!

180 subs, 30 dark, 30 bias; subs at 1.6 sec, ISO 1600, f/5.0, 190mm

I used bright stars in Cassiopeia and Andromeda to star hop to the approximate location. Once I knew I was in the area, I used the same technique from the last time I spotted Andromeda or PanSTARRS - and that is to take 10 second exposures and see what blobs appear. Then, once you have the images framed well, take exposures more appropriate for stacking (in my case, 1.6 sec at 190mm).

One of my "finder frames" to help me zero in on my targets, 10 sec, ISO 1600, 190mm

Here is a wide field shot to show just how low M31 ended up at the end of my night. With all the atmospheric distortion and light pollution, it's a wonder I was able to see the darn thing!

Background image is a single exposure at ISO 1600, 13 sec, 18mm

Comet PanSTARRS within 2° of the Andromeda Galaxy this week

I take most of my photos from my apartment courtyard, and since my view to the west is obstructed by the building, I thought I'd already said goodbye to Andromeda for the season. The same goes for C/2011 L4 PanSTARRS, which is fading while rising higher into the NW sky just after sunset. With an obstructed view, PanSTARRS calls for a special trip. And since I've already photographed it twice, I felt content to let it slip out of sight.

Using Stellarium to plan my views of PanSTARRS below Andromeda

That is, until I learned about a sort-of conjunction of the comet with the Andromeda Galaxy (within 2°) over the next week - especially from April 2-3. This event is definitely worth a special trip, and I'm excited to have another go at Andromeda, especially if I can catch it in the same frame as a comet! (See my previous attempt at Andromeda)

Grid lines in Stellarium show that the two objects will be separated by a few degrees relatively low in the NW sky

It's also nice to know that PanSTARRS should be near Andromeda for a few days in a row, which will increase my chances of getting good weather. Although, as of right now, it looks like the weather should cooperate on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights (knock on wood). 

Double clusters between Cassiopeia and Perseus are my backup targets

My backup plan is to shoot a double cluster a little higher in the sky. I'm a little worried Andromeda will be too low to the horizon to get a good shot, or that it won't be dark enough by 9:00pm. If I'm going to make a 30 minute drive out to darker skies, I want to have plenty of targets.

C/2011 L4 (Pan-STARRS) low on the horizon, March 14, 2013

You gotta take advantage of every clear night you get! Even though I had just gotten some much cooler shots of PanSTARRS with the moon the night before, I saw the weather clearing up and headed to the hill on Forrest Creason Golf Course in time to see the comet setting over the BGSU campus.

I was hoping for a cooler image of the Bowling Green skyline, but the commet was setting a little north of 270º (due West) and ended up over the roof of the Perry Field House.

4 images stacked, each 5 sec, ISO 400, 300mm, f/5.6

Over the next few weeks the comet will fade, while at the same time staying visible in the sky longer after sunset - so it's sort of a trade off. Hopefully I'll get a couple more chances to photograph it higher in the sky with a brighter tail.

Comet Pan-STARRS with the Crescent Moon, March 13, 2013

It's been rainy, snowy, and overcast since early last week - so I knew when the forecast called for "partially cloudy" skies I would take the chance to try to spot comet Pan-STARRS through the clouds.

My view looking West after sunset, crescent moon barely visible

My setup, Canon Rebel XT with 300mm f/5.6 lens

Bored and freezing, waiting for the comet to appear

Zoom/crop, a close up of the comet through the haze just above the horizon
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 3.2 sec, 8:49pm ET

I've been following the story for weeks; jealously looking at photos from the Southern Hemisphere and the southern United States, waiting for my turn. Earlier today, the skies were a blank gray. It even started snowing around lunch time. When I saw a patch of blue sky, I started obsessing over the hourly forecast hoping to get a chance to photograph the comet for myself.

Had to go vertical to get the moon and comet both in frame, super cool!
95mm, f/4.5, ISO 800, 5 sec, 8:46pm ET

I got to Slippery Elm Trail around 7:30pm (sunset was 7:39pm ET). I got to see a cool sunset, and started setting up my camera. I ended up waiting around for 20 min or so before I could even see the crescent moon clearly. 30 minutes later I knew I should be getting close, but I didn't see any comet.

Watching the comet dip behind clouds in the fairly bright twilight sky
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 4 sec, 8:32pm ET

I started clicking around looking for the comet with 1.5s exposures. I finally caught a glimpse of it in my LCD screen and I knew I had it! I followed it over the next 30 min or so until I could get a shot of the comet and horizon in the same frame. I stayed out for about an hour and a half total. It was freezing being out in the middle of a field with no protection from the wind, but it was worth it!

Target practice on the crescent moon, also useful as a focus aid

Earthshine with some clouds. I never get tired of earthshine!
75mm, ISO 200, f/4.5, 0.4 sec, 8:13pm ET

The photo I've been waiting for! Pan-STARRS low with the horizon in frame
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 3.2 sec, 8:49pm ET

After 90 minutes in the cold, I made a mad dash for my car. If I didn't have hand warmers in my gloves and shoes, I don't know what I would have done. Next winter I'll have to invest in some thicker gloves and some boots - this photography stuff is rough!

Planning my Pan-STARRS vigil in Stellarium

The comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) has been putting on quite a show in the Southern Hemisphere, and tomorrow it is supposed to peak above the horizon immediately after sunset here in the North. If I spot it, it will be my first comet since 1997! If I photograph it.... ditto...

Following the instructions in this helpful video, I was able to add PANSTARRS to my favorite planetarium software Stellarium. Blog posts and articles that provide viewing tips are helpful (like this one) but I like the customization of looking at the altitude and direction at any given time based on my exact location.

My favorite diagram so far comes from Sky and Telescope, very helpful!

Fellow northerners have been looking for the comet for the past few days. With no reported sightings so far, I'm hoping tomorrow I will catch my first glimpse of the icy fuzz ball. According to Stellarium, it will appear very very low along the horizon just after sunset.

On March 7 the comet will be just 3º above the horizon 20 minutes after sunset

Although 3º isn't much to work with, I was able to photograph the conjunction of Mars and Mercury at about 3º above the horizon, so I'm going to give it a try and see what happens!

Estimating 10º altitude using a closed fist. Notice the altitude of Mars and Mercury between the towers in the photo.

On March 12 the comet will appear next to a 1.5% crescent moon! So cool!

As the comet climbs over the next few weeks, it will also get dimmer - so it's sort of a trade off. Because we just recently had a 10 day streak of overcast skies, I can't take any chances waiting around for the 12th. With work and traveling this weekend, I have to head out to get some photos at every opportunity!

Update: It was overcast this evening. Curses!