Scope Diagram Astrocamera.Net - Astrophotography by Dave Kodama

Comet C/2011 L4 - Panstarrs
and the Andromeda Galaxy



7 Apr. 2013 / Nikon D700, ISO 6400 / Nikon 180ED @ f/2.8 / 4 sec.

On this date, the comet was almost circumpolar from my location. It was visible in the evening after sunset, set, then rose again in the morning before sunrise. Because the comet was dim to begin with and dimming as the days went on, it was easier to locate in the morning when I had the benefit of using the reference stars visible before dawn. This shot was taken in the morning as the comet rose ahead of the Andromeda galaxy, the fuzzy spot low in the photo. At the bottom left is the roll-off roof observatory of the Orange County Astronomers.