C/2011 W3 Comet Lovejoy from Canberra

[Barry]

C/2011 W3 Comet Lovejoy

Clouds from horizon to horizon has been the name of the game here for nearly every celestial event!

I got up on Thursday night/Friday morning at 3am, checked the sky and it was a black blanket of cloud. I observed for around 20 minutes while simultaneously checking the Bureau of Meteorology to confirm that the clouds weren't going anywhere. Back to bed to grind my teeth and grumble something about Murphy's law.

This morning, I stayed up until 1:30am, had a little snooze on the couch and checked the night sky every half hour. At 2:30am the sky turned crystal clear! I loaded everything in the ute and took off like a bull at a gate for the mountains south-west of Canberra and away from the city light.

And there it was! Comet Lovejoy in all it's glory, lighting up the heavens like a searchlight, signalling passing spacecraft.

Baz.

1


2


3


4

[Clifford60]

Hi Barry,

Very nice, thank you for sharing

By the way, what is each picture exposure?

[Gary]

Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!

[cloud_cover]

Very nice!

[shirox]

Hey Barry, that is so beautiful!

[cataclysm]

Wow! Super long tail!!!

[Airconvent]

oh wow, Barry...that's great! Reminds me of Mc Naught!
Was it very bright and distinct visually or it it only on longer exposure?
Merry Christmas, down under, by the way!

[kensou]

WOW!!

I always wanted to see a comet myself at site!! I am so jealous!! nice photos! dun mind if I share on facebook?

[Barry]

Thanks everyone, these were all 30 seconds or less. The comet was visible naked-eye and even while driving.

Baz.

[Airconvent]

Thanks everyone, these were all 30 seconds or less. The comet was visible naked-eye and even while driving.

Baz.

wow......such great skies down under...