COMETS

HALE BOPP

• 1997 Feb.9.22; m1=1.8 ; Dia=15' , DC=7 , Brilliant curtain like tail Sky Conditions : light polluted sky but very clear and no clouds....10X50Bin ....Martin Galea De Giovanni (Valletta-Malta).

• 1997 Feb.10.1791; m1=2.2 , Dia=12 , DC=8 , Tail= 213'(3.5degrees) at PA 340...; 12X50Bin. ....Stephen M. Brincat (San Gwann-Malta.) Jet at North-west is easily visible in binoculars.

• 1997 February 9.18 UT: m1=1.6, Dia=24', DC=8-9...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Excellent conditions. Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. The tail is made up of two main components. The northern part is longest, extending for 5 degrees in PA 316 degrees. It is very bright close to the coma and has a yellowish hue. A fainter but wider appendage extends for 2.3 degrees. Its southern edge points toward PA 293 degrees. A short (0.6 degrees), very wide (spreading from PA 279 to 241 degrees) fan is seen with averted vision. The two jets mentioned in my last two observations are again visible in 20x70B. The southern jet is most distinct, measuring 22 minutes in length. Also extending SW from the 'nucleus' is a wide and bright fountain.]

• 1997 February 10.18 UT: m1=1.4, Dia=23', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Excellent conditions. Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. The tail looks essentially the same as on Feb. 9. Its northern component extends for 6 degrees in PA 321 degrees. The faint appendage extends for 2.3 degrees with its southern edge now pointing toward PA 280 degrees. The short, fan is less pronounced today. The south jet issuing from the 'nucleus' is 0.5 degree long.]

• 1997 February 11.18 UT: m1=1.3, Dia=23', DC=7-8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. With the naked eye the ion tail is traced for 8 degrees in PA 312. The dust tail Is best seen with 12x50B and measures 4 degrees in length. Its trailing edge points toward PA 288 degrees.]

• 1997 February 12.18 UT: m1=1.3, Dia=16', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. The ion tail is glimpsed only momentarily with the naked eye due to the rather poor conditions. With 12x50B it is traced for ~7 degrees in PA 315 degrees. The dust tail extends for ~3 degrees; its trailing edge points toward PA 288 degrees. The southern jet is very evident; it seems to be the main source of the dust tail.]

• 1997 Feb.15.1764 ; m1=1.8 , Dia=13' , DC=8 , Tail=283'(4.7 degrees) at PA 300 ; 12X50Bin , Stephen M. Brincat( Naxxar -Malta) . Northern side of tail is brighter and looks pretty straight, this is probably the ion tail.

• 1997 February 14.18 UT: m1=1.4, Dia=~20', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. Observation made through gaps in low, fast-moving clouds. Strong wind.]

• 1997 February 15.18 UT: m1=1.3, Dia=22', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. The ion tail is traced for 10 degrees in PA 320 degrees. The dust tail is wide and extends for 4.5 degrees; its trailing edge points toward PA 277 degrees.]

• 1997 February 18.16 UT: m1=1.2, Dia=21', DC=8-9...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. Brief observation due to clouds.]

• 1997 February 19.17 UT: m1=1.1...3cm R (x6), Dia=22', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. With 12x50B, ion tail traced for 8 degrees in PA 315 degrees; dust tail 4.5 degrees long, with its trailing edge pointing toward PA 290 degrees.]

• 1997 Feb. 19.1569; m1=1.3 , Dia= 12' , DC=8 , Tails= Ion(333' at PA 320)-Dust(141' at PA 310)....12X50Bin.....Stephen M. Brincat (San Gwann -Malta). Near Pseudo nucleus dust tail is brighter than Ion but as distance increases the Ion overcome the dust tail.

• 1997 February 20.18 UT: m1=1.2...3cm R (x6), Dia=22', DC=8...12x50B...Tony Tanti (Naxxar, Malta). [Magnitude estimate corrected for atmospheric extinction. With 12x50B, the ion tail is traced for 6 degrees in PA 323 degrees; the dust tail is 5 degrees long, with its trailing edge pointing toward PA 284 degrees.In 25.4cm Schmidt-Cassegrain (x89) the condensation appears rectangular in shape with its long axis aligned SE-NW. On its SE side is an immense, V-shaped fountain. The material issuing from it curves inward to form the dust tail. The area immediately behind (NE) the condensation is relatively dark. Excellent transparency with setting gibbous moon.]