Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

A Pair of Comets - SW 73P

What a mouthful of a name for a comet! How come comets are never discovered by Mr Smith or Jones ? Go figure !
Anyhow, we will call them SW73P, & this is how I have seen them:

15-5-06
Finally got to have a look at both comet fragments B & C this morning.
Fragment B is definatly the brighter of the 2 with a distinct tail.
Fragment C's tail can only be seen with averted Imagination !
Pity is, I had to wait for clear skies to coinside with a near full moon
17-5-06
I had another look this Morning, with both the B & C fragments Squarely in Pegasus.
The B fragment was as clear as last time I looked, however the C fragment had a more easily decernable tail this time.(perhaps due to better seeing ?)
Not a distinct or long as fragment B, but clearly visable.
Observed with a pair of 16x60 pentax PCF WP Binoculars, a favourite instrument of mine for comet watching.
The chart shown here shows their position on the morning of the 18th of May, but keep in mind that they will continue to move rapidly towards the N/E.
23-5-06
Even as the comets are becoming difficult for our northern cousins in the morning twilight, they continue to be worth a look for us lucky "southernhemispherians"
I had another look this morning (what a glutton !)
Fragment B was a little harder to spot, having a more condensed core & a longer thinner tail. Fragment C was easily 1/2 a Mag brighter, with a shorter tail & wider coma.
Couldn't help but take a close up look at Ol Luna too, Schroders Valley is an awe inspiring sight at this phase of the moon, looking for all the world like a river delta that has stained the surface of the moon a dark grey.
It's a challenge getting up that bit earlier, but boy is it worth it.
Oh yes, BTW the seeing was excellent.