Observation Notes
This was a fantastic sight! The comet shared the view with brilliant, second magnitude Alpha Coronae Borealis. The nucleus still appeared stellar with a fan shaped tail blowing to the southwest. The tail seemed to trail about 38′, distending an angle of about 45°. The brightest portion was still the northwest edge. Motion was apparent over the course of the observation, but I didn’t end up marking it.
I was able to find both the B and C components with my 10 x 50 binoculars (hand held). They both just barely fit in the field together.
Factoids
See first observation.
| Subject | 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 – Components C |
| Classification | Comet |
| Position* | Corona Borealis APR 21, 2006 07:10 UT – [RA: 15:34:20 / Dec: +27:04:13] |
| Size | Tail: 38′ |
| Brightness* | ~8.5 |
| Date/Time | April 21, 2006 – 12:10 AM (April 21, 2006 – 07:10 UT) |
| Observing Loc. | Anderson Mesa, AZ |
| Instrument | Orion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L) |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | 32 mm, 25 mm, and 10 mm Sirius Plössl (37.5X, 48X, 120X), and 10 mm Sirius Plössl + 2X Barlow (240X) |
| Conditions | Clear, Calm, 34°F |
| Seeing | 5/10 Pickering |
| Transparency | Mag 6.8+ NELM |
| *Sources | Orion’s The Sky Software;Aerith.net |