C/2004 Q2 Machholz near M45 (Jan 05, 2005)

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About this Image

The comet is approaching the Pleiades (M45), shining now at approx mag 4.0.
The ion tail to the north-east measures 6 degree in this image. Then short dust tail aims to the south-east.

Below you find a 33 frame animation over 2 hours.
north is up


Technical Details
Optics

Canon EF 200mm at f/2.8

Mount MK-100 GEM
Camera SBIG STL-11000M at -25C, internal filter wheel
Filters Astronomik LRGB
Date Jan 05, 2005 19:00-19:30 UT.
Location Wildon/Austria
Sky Conditions mag 5.5 sky, high transparency, temperature 5 C
Exposure L:R:G:B= 30:5:5:5 (5 min sub-exposures);
Processing Image calibration in ImagesPlus; one set LRGB each 5 min used for comet area, 30 min L used for rest of image.
processing, curves, color balance in Photoshop;