2025 "Now & Laters"
I like to call my Images "Now & Laters".
Observe Now and Share Later.
Check back often as I work on projects in the observatory
Embedded Files
Check back often as I work on projects in the observatory
January 2026
Interstelar Comet 3I/Atlas Imaged December 27 2025
Appling the Larson Sekanina filter to the 12-27-2025 Image with a rotation angle of . The jets are indicated at approximately 120 degrees apart as well as the tail. Using differing rotations angles continued to show the jest at the same location but the lower angles were better with the MEO data showing the jets close in.
The Larson-Sekanina filter (or rotational gradient filter) is an image processing technique, developed in 1984 by Z. Sekanina and S.M. Larson, used primarily in astronomy to enhance radial or spiral structures in comets. By removing circular, symmetric coma structures, it highlights jets and features near the nucleus.
Key Details of the Larson-Sekanina Filter:
Purpose: Enhances faint, non-circular features (jets, shells, fans) in cometary images.
Method: The filter operates by creating a rotated and shifted version of the original image, then subtracting it from the original to produce a difference image, often resulting in a "gradient" effect that amplifies sharp edges and breaks symmetry.
Application: It is widely used in astronomical image processing software like Siril or MaximDL to analyze the morphology of comet nuclei.
Result: The resulting image shows spiral jets, fans, or other asymmetric emissions from the comet's nucleus.
Hubble Image
3IAtlas as imaged by the Hubble Space telescope HST on 12-27-2025 with the same Larson Seconina filter applied at rotaion angl;es of
Images of the jet structure of 3I/ATLAS from the Hubble Space Telescope, processed through the Larson-Sekanina rotation gradient filter, show a variable jet structure. The top panels zoom in on the inner jets within 24,000 kilometers from 3I/ATLAS on November 30, 2025 (top left), and December 27, 2025 (top right). Zooming out to the outer structure extending out to 100,000 kilometers, shown in the lower two panels for December 12 (bottom left) and December 27 (bottom right) is dominated by the anti-tail jet, directed at the Sun towards the lower left corner of the image. (Image credit: Toni Scarmato, based on data released by NASA/ESA/STScI here)
February 2026
NEO object P22IBYO observed 02-09-2026 at MEO. This target was moved to the PCCP list. The comet was confirmed on 02- The orbit
This is a big object! 20 Kilometers
Orbit
Mind’s Eye Observatory was proud to host Daniel Mitchell and his astronomy students from Indian River Charter High School for their first of many visits to MEO!
It was Carpe Noctum for these aspiring scientists:
The Astronomers in the group marveled at Jupiter and seasonal deep-sky highlights, diving into the physics of what lies beyond our atmosphere.
The Aerospace enthusiasts got hands-on with our equipment, exploring the mechanics of telescope operation, tracking systems , and the work behind Near Earth Object tracking & Planetary Defense.
We are thrilled to support IRCHS in this ongoing series of visits!
Indian River Charter High School
#MEO #Aerospace #Astronomy #STEM #IRCHS #PlanetaryDefense #NextGenScience #VeroBeach #FloridaSTEM #InternationalAsteroidWarningNetwork
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