Comet Holmes and the California Nebula (NGC1499)

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Comet Holmes continues to ride high in the evening sky, still in Perseus as it finishes making its retrograde loop and headed towards the California Nebula (NGC1499).  The small open cluster near the comet is NGC1342.  

Comet Holmes is still visible in dark skies with optical aid, though it is much dimmer than at its peak brightness.  It can be seen as a huge, faint fuzzy spot in 7x50 binoculars.  
 
Date/Time:    9 Feb. 2008
Location: Vanishing Point Observatory (OCA Anza Site)
Scope/Lens: Borg 125EDF2.8 @ f/3.3
Camera: Mitsuboshi 6x9 Vacuum Astrocamera
Mount: Losmandy Titan
Guider: Borg 45ED / SBIG STV
Media: Medium format Kodak E200, +2 push
Exposure: 3x20 min.