Southern-X-Observatory

Comet 2000 WM1 (LINEAR)
	Taken on the 9th of January 2002 UT, near Coonalpyn, South Australia. Full length of the 7.5 degree ion tail present . This image has been over processed to bring out the very faint tail. Details: 5 minute exposure , taken by Stewart Leffanue and K.Jones. Fuji 800, 105mm lens was used for all pics on this page. All pics on this page are around 100k in size.	view pic

	This photo is from Jan 31 2002 UT . The comet was around magnitude 2.5 at the time, shortly after the comet's outburst. A large native tree was used to shield the camera from the very strong 70% moonlight ( as we did with the 4th feb UT shot as well ). The full moon was only 3 days before this shot was taken. Details: 2.5 min exposure, Stewart Leffanue, Kearn Jones. Fuji 800, 105mm.	view pic

	We call this "Comet Hanging out to Dry" . 1.5 min exposure from the 4th feb UT / 5th feb, local time, 2002. The morning mail plane between Melbourne and Adelaide, can be seen blinking its way past the comet. Moonlight ( the blue light, it was at 40% at this time) has been to varying degree's, removed from this and the previous photo. Details: Kearn Jones & Stewart Leffanue	view pic

	Shot of WM1 from 10th feb UT / 11th local time 2002. This 7 min exposure taken by members of our group. Details: Tony Burke , Barry Kilner. Mt Pleasant.	view pic

	In this extreme cropped close-up of Comet WM1 you can just see a faint ion tail, streaming off to the left of the brighter dust tail. Taken on the 12th feb UT / 13th local time 2002. Details: 7 min exp. Stewart Leffanue.	view pic

	Farewell to C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR), as it continues on its victory lap through the solar system. We all here at Mt.P.A.S. thoroughly enjoyed its roller coaster ride through the Southern Hemisphere, and will fondly remember its 2002 apparition. Here it is passing under the famous Tea Pot of Sagittarius on the 22nd feb UT 2002. Details: 3 min exposure . Credit: Kearn Jones, Stewart Leffanue.	view pic