Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner: an image (9 Sept. 2018)

We imaged comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner again, under less than ideal conditions. The comet is always a stunning view, now ready to reach its perihelion. We will keep an eye on it.

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner: 9 Sept. 2018

The image above comes from the average of 10, 120-seconds exposures, unfiltered, remotely collected “Elena” (PlaneWave 17″+Paramount ME+SBIG STL-6303E) robotic unit available at the Virtual Telescope Project. The robotic telescope tracked the apparent motion of comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, so stars left trails on the background. The image scale is 1.2″/pixel.

Once averaged, images were carefully processed to assure a good visibility of both the bright false nucleus and the faint coma. During the imaging sessions, some subtle clouds were crossing the sky.

We plan to observe this comet regularly.

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