[UPDATE Jan. 21] Peculiar Inner Activity of Comet 29P Schwassmann-Wachmann

[drclay]

Comet 29P Schwassmann-Wachmann, has undergone yet more outbursts and demonstrations of peculiar activity, the latest starting in early January; at ASO Petit Jean Mountain South, the following image was obtained on the night of January 09 with the 0.5m f/4.7 Dall Kirkham astrograph.  It shows some very "propeller-like" inner activity emanating from the nucleus and expanding into the coma of the comet.

NOTE the expansion and enlargement of both the comet and the curving jet in the image below from Jan. 21; 0:7:39 UT, taken at ASO.

Other observers have recently been reporting the continuation and development of this interesting feature:

(from Dimitri Chestnov:
"....This strange feature is visible on several recent images reported at
neighbour group:
http://comete.uai.it/29p/29P_090116.jpg
http://www.astronomie.be/erik.bryssinck/29P_20090116_Rc_BRY01.jpg
http://users.telenet.be/diepvens/cometimages/new/new12.html
......"

The comet is currently visible in moderate telescopes both visually and via CCD imaging; it is quite large and concentrated with a distinct core/nucleus and large, uniform coma, with no distinct tail.

Dr. Clay

[[ PLEASE CLICK THUMBNAILS BELOW TO ENLARGE IMAGE ]]

[esperanza4]

The curved jet - how did you know that it was of the comet and not of the lens through which you looked?
- A newbie telescoper