Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner (updated image 19th September 2018)

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner - 13 September 2018- Altair 66mm Doublet on Star Adventurer Mount - 30 sec exposures at ISO3200 stacked. Canon 600D DSLR with 0.8x field flattener and reducer. Stacked and drizzled FOV at x2.- then combined with images taken of Messier 35 several years ago utilising the 127mm.Meade Apo refractor. Credit Pip Stakkert and Kurt Thrust

"The 'periodic' comet 21P/Giaciobini-Zinner has an orbital period of 6.5 years and is currently sailing past the constellation Gemini and in particular the open star cluster Messier 35. I had located the comet the night before through the observatory's large binoculars but was unable to follow up with one of our telescopes. Thankfully, a good weather window opened up around 2:00 BST and we were able to bring our widefield rig into action. The little 66mm scope certainly punches above its weight" - Pip Stakkert - Imaging Team Leader - Jodrell Plank Observatory.

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner - 13 September 2018- Altair 66mm Doublet on Star Adventurer Mount - 30 sec exposures at ISO3200 stacked. 28 stacked widefield image .Canon 600D DSLR with 0.8x field flattener and reducer. 

"All the observatory staff were awake until 5:00 BST to ensure an image of the comet was obtained before it disappeared into the dawn. The sky above the observatory was remarkably transparent and we all enjoyed the wonderful sight of the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. Four bright meteors and binocular views of Messier 33 were an added bonus.. On a domestic note -friend of the observatory Beth Harman and her dog Bertie stayed over night at the Jodrell Plank Observatory Visitors Centre, unfortunately, Bertie and Mr Shrodinger's cat - Comet didn't get on so well. Clearly not everyone likes comets with tails!" - Kurt Thrust acting CEO and current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.

" Bye and see you in 2025"