Comet P/73 Schwassmann-Wachman is a periodic comet which has been actively fragmenting on this approach to the sun.  Captured here are 4 pieces, designated (from left to right) as C, B, G, and R, with G and R barely visible as faint streaks.  The exposure was tracked on the stars rather than the comet, so the comet pieces are smeared into streaks due to their motion over the 30 minute exposure.     Magnitudes and size predictions for the comet pieces were: Component Magnitude Size B 7.5 5.9' C 7.6 5.9' G 11.7 2.4' R 13.7 23"

Date/Time:    30 Aprr. 2006 / 02:04 PDT Location: OCA Anza site Scope: Borg 125EDF2.8 @ f/3.3 Mount: Losmandy G11 Guider: SBIG STV / Borg 45ED Film: Kodak E100S (4x5), +1 push Exposure: 30 min.   Globular cluster M13 and the galaxy NGC6207 (enlarged at left) can also be seen in the upper left corner of the full frame.