A british amateur astronomer has photographed the comet C2007 Q3 Siding Spring with an internet controlled telescope.

His image clearly shows an eruption or possibly a nucleus break-up, that may result in an outburst of the comet, which is allready easily visible from Europe.

The british amateur astronomer Nick Howes used the robotic telescope "Faulkes Telescope North" via the internet on 17 March at 15:00 UT, to take this image of the comet's nucleus.

Nick Howes has tested that the knot next to the nucleus is not a background star, as it clearly folllows the comets orbit "I have confirmed via creating an animation that the secondary condensation is moving WITH the comet and is not a background star."  he says.

The comet was discovered in 2007 by the australian D. M. Burton, when it was 17,8magnitude, but has since brightened to it's present 9'th magnitude.

If this is indeed a comet nucleaus break-up like the one that happened to comet 17P Holmes in 2007, it should brighten considerably.

Image right of comet 17P nucleus by the dane dr. Ulrik Thorup 30/10 2007

With its present position in Draco and at magnitude 9, the comet should be an easy target for amatuers in Europe

Finders map from earith.net

See finders maps and details at Seiichi Yoshida's earith.net
Original story from faulkes-telescope