C/2022 E3 ZTF

January 21, 2023

My second observation of C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was at 5:00 AM CST, again from my backyard deck.  I found it first with my 10x50s as a tiny smudge (still), and could not detect it naked-eye.  Using the 25x100s yielded a "D" shaped smudge once again, but this time the comet was noticeably brighter and larger.  The stubby tail also seemed a bit fringed.  I estimated it as a sold magnitude 6.  Again, not well condensed and no pseudo-nucleus was observed.  If it continues to brighten this much in the next few days it might be time for me to give the camera a shot at this.

I had planned to drive to Whiteside for this morning's observation, but acquired a nasty cold bug and thought better of being outside in lower 20 degree weather to observe this.   The star hop for this was a bit difficult in far-northern Bootes.  I made a line between Alkaid in the Big Dipper and Eta Draconis to find the way.

January 26, 2023  -  10:55 PM and 11:45 PM     (3rd observation)

I finally felt good enough to manage a trip to a dark sky site to view this comet, and it was worth it.  I planned to arrive late, since the moon would not set until around 11:21 PM.   When I arrived both Jerry Loethen and Andy Walker were already there.  I brought my 10x50's, my 25x100s, and my 8" f/6 dob.  I only bothered to draw the comet in the telescope tonight.  Initially, with the moon still up, all I could see was the large fuzz-ball with a bright p-nucleus.  So I made the above drawing at that time, meaning to just add the "X" for the p-nucleus position at the last observation after moon-set (11:45 PM here).

First views after moon-set were not that great.  I suppose that my eyes had not yet dark adapted.   I was disappointed.   Later views shared with Jerry had us both convinced that a super-faint tail was seen with averted vision off to the WSW.  Additionally, something like a "bow" was seen just East of the p-nucleus.  This was likely related to both anti-tail and ion tail, as images online showed later.