Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) – 2/12/2023 19h06m to 19h51m EDT

Telescope: Astro-Tech 8” f/8 Ritchey-Chretien, Orion Atlas EQ-G

Camera: QHY 367c Pro, -20C, Baader Mk III MPCC

Filter: GSO IR Blocking Filter

Guide scope: Astro-Tech 60mm, ZWO ASI120MM mini, PHD2

Exposure: 46x60sec, gain 2800, offset 50, saved as FITS

Darks: 32, -20C, gain 2800, offset 50, saved as FITS

Flats: 64x300ms, Tee shirt flats taken at dusk

Average Light Pollution: Red zone, Bortle 8, fair transparency

Lensed Sky Quality Meter: 18.6

Stacking: Average, 1 sigma clip

White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic

Software: SharpCap Pro, Nebulosity, Photoshop

I finally had a chance to take a peek at Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) as it passed south of Mars. When this image set was taken the comet was 44 million miles away to the northeast of the Hyades. Mas lay 4 degrees to the north of the comet and more than twice as far away in the background at a distance of 92 million miles. The stars trailing in the background shows the motion of the comet while the source images were being taken. The comet was moving so quickly the telescope was setup to track on the comet so that the nucleus of the comet was reasonably sharp while the stars trailed behind. (Photo credit: John Graham, 2–12-2023)