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MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS - JUNE 2003

June (our winter / rain period) was a so-so month as far as clear nights is concerned. We had an air stream with N-NE winds for a week in late June which killed any hopes of observing... On a scale of 1 to 5 (1=less than 20% cloud, 2=20%-40%, 3=40%-60%, 4=60%-80%, 5=80-100%cloud/rain) the average at sunset was 2.7 (34% cloud - but often this cloud clears after sunset). There were 12 cloudless nights at sunset.

The following figures were issued by Gisborne's metrological office and from my own records...

A summary of my observations for the month...

* If not listed in this link these astrophotos and sketches will be scanned and uploaded next month.

In June I mainly concentrated on comet observations and astrophotography / sketching in Ara.

THIS MONTH'S COMET OBSERVATIONS...
JUNE 2003 #1:
Here are some visual observations on a clear, still night...of note
was my first observation of C/2002 J4 (NEAT):

C/2001 RX14 (LINEAR) 2003 June 03.38 UT: m1 = 13.7, Dia.= 0.4', DC =
3, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [A
difficult observation. RX14 is getting fainter and is diffuse. Used
averted vision to see it. Comet's alt is 32* in the NW (slight city
glow). Stellar LM =15.1, diffuse LM = 13.9 (scope)].

P/Wild 4 (116P) 2003 June 03.39 UT: m1 = 12.6, Dia.= 0'.8, DC = 6,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [116P
is still displaying quite a bright nucleus surrounded by a bright and
fairly large coma. Comet's alt is 68* in the NE. Stellar LM =15.7,
diffuse LM = 14.5 (scope)].

53P (P/Van Biesbroeck) 2003 June 03.40 UT: m1 = 14.0, Dia.= 0'.4, DC =
7, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand)
[53P is a small, compact object. It has a condensed almost stellar
nucleus surrounded by a faint nebulous coma. Comet's alt is 55* in the
NE. Stellar LM =15.7, diffuse LM = 14.5, (scope).]

C/2002 J4 (NEAT) 2003 June 03.43 UT: m1 = 14.4, Dia.= 0'.2, DC = 6,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [J4
is a very small, faint smudge. A fairly condensed nucleus? Comet's alt
is 52* in the SE. Stellar LM =15.7, 14.5 (diffuse)] .

P/Gunn (65P) 2003 June 03.45 UT: m1 = 12.7, Dia.= 0'.5, DC = 6, 41cm
f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [65P has a
fairly bright coma with a condensed nucleus. Comet's alt is 47* in the
E. Stellar LM =15.7, diffuse LM = 14.5 (scope)].

JUNE 2003 #2:
Hi all,

Observed three comets this morning (3.45 - 5.15am local time). A windy
night with some cloud movement...and yes Terry, I finally saw Q4 again!

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 2003 June 06.65 UT: m1 = 13.7, Dia.= 0'.9,
DC = 5, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New
Zealand) [29P has a small, tight nucleus surrounded by a large, faint
coma. Comet's alt is 45* in the NE. Stellar LM = 15.6, diffuse LM =
14.2 (scope)].

C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) 2003 June 06.68 UT: m1 = 13.4, Dia.= 0.4', DC = 5,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [Q4
appears as a faint, diffuse smudge with a very small, tight nucleus
(using averted vision). Comet's alt is 23* in the SE. Stellar LM
=15.3, diffuse LM = 14.1 (scope)].

C/2002 Y1 (Juels-Holvorcem) 2003 June 06.72 UT: m1 = 8.2, Dia.= 3', DC
= 7, 20cm f4 L (36x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [A rushed
observation due to clouds rolling in. Y1 is easily seen; nice and
bright with a desent nucleus. Comet's alt is 35* in the NE. Stellar LM
=13.0, 10.8 (diffuse)].


JUNE 2003 #3:
Hi all,

it's a lovely night here in NZ...

P/Wild 4 (116P) 2003 June 07.50 UT: m1 = 12.9, Dia.= 0'.9, DC = 6,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [116P
has a large coma with a gradual condensation towards the nucleus which
is almost stellar (is it off set to one side???). Comets alt is 60* in
the WNW. Stellar LM =15.6, diffuse LM = 14.4 (scope)].

53P (P/Van Biesbroeck) 2003 June 07.52 UT: m1 = 14.1, Dia.= 0'.4, DC =
7, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand)
[53P is a small, faint smudge with a fairly condensed nucleus. Comet's
alt is 54* in the NW. Stellar LM =15.6, diffuse LM = 14.4, (scope).]

C/2002 J4 (NEAT) 2003 June 07.54 UT: m1 = 14.4, Dia.= 0'.1, DC = 8,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [A
VERY difficult observation and one I'm not entirely certain on,
nevertheless...Used a DDS and GSC 2.2 download to ID field - J4 seems
to be a very faint almost stellar smudge(?) barely perceptable to the
eye... Comet's alt is 77* in the SE. Stellar LM =15.6].

P/Gunn (65P) 2003 June 07.55 UT: m1 = 12.7, Dia.= 0'.7, DC = 5, 41cm
f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [65P has a
fairly bright coma which gets brighter as it gets closer to the fairly
condensed nucleus. Comet's alt is 76* in the NE. Stellar LM =15.6,
diffuse LM = 14.4 (scope).

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 2003 June 07.64 UT: m1 = 13.6, Dia.= 0'.9,
DC = 4, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New
Zealand) [29P appears as a faint smudge with a slight condensation at
the nucleus. Comet's alt is 42* in the NE. Stellar LM = 15.6, diffuse
LM = 14.2 (scope)].

JUNE 2003 #4:

Hi all,

Just one observation tonight...

P/Wild 4 (116P) 2003 June 18.29 UT: m1 = 13.0, Dia.= 0'.8, DC = 7,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand)
[Similar to my last obs (7 June) - 116P has a largish coma with a
gradual condensation towards the nucleus which is almost stellar.
Comets alt is 56* in the ENE. Stellar LM =15.6, diffuse LM = 14.4
(scope)].
 

JUNE 2003 #5:
Hi all,

It's a still deep night here...

P/Wild 4 (116P) 2003 June 20.34 UT: m1 = 13.1, Dia.= 0'.8, DC = 6,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [116P
has a largish coma with a gradual condensation towards the nucleus
which is almost stellar. Comets alt is 56* in the ENE. Stellar LM
=15.6, diffuse LM = 14.4 (scope)].

53P (P/Van Biesbroeck) 2003 June 20.35 UT: m1 = 14.2, Dia.= 0'.3, DC =
7, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand)
[53P is a small, very faint smudge with a reasonably condensed
nucleus. Comet's alt is 55* in the NNE. Stellar LM =15.6, diffuse LM =
14.4, (scope)].

P/Gunn (65P) 2003 June 20.37 UT: m1 = 12.2, Dia.= 0'.8, DC = 6, 41cm
f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [65P
displays a fairly bright coma with a fairly condensed nucleus. Comet's
alt is 40* in the ESE. Stellar LM =15.6, diffuse LM = 14.4 (scope)].

JUNE 2003 #6:

Hi all,

two observations before the morning twilight kicked in too much...

C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) 2003 June 21.75 UT: m1 = 13.6,      Dia.= 0.4', DC = 4,
41cm f4.5 Reflect (166x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New Zealand) [Q4
appears as a faint, diffuse smudge. Comet's alt is 50* in the E. 21
day moon. Stellar LM =15.3, diffuse LM = 14.1 (scope)].

C/2002 Y1 (Juels-Holvorcem) 2003 June 21.76 UT:      m1 = 8.6, Dia.= 1.5',
DC = 7, 41cm f4.5 Reflect (83x)…John Drummond, (Gisborne, New
Zealand)       [Y1 is easily seen, very close (<1') from a mag 11 star.
Nice and bright with a gradual condensing towards the nucleus. 21 day
moon. Comet's alt is 57* in the ENE. Stellar LM =15.2, 14.0 (diffuse)].