Thank you Kevin,
I checked all of that info before writing the group and the inverted
telescope theory does not work either because that doesn't explain
the star positions. (see Photos section for this group) The image was
taken by Mike Holloway at 00:00UT on 12/31/05.

Carpe Nocturne - Clear Skies & Dark Night
Mark S Deprest
Astronomical League
University Lowbrow Astronomers
Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers
American Association of Amateur Astronomers
A.L. Comet Observers Club Gold Award Recipient


--- In guide-user@yahoogroups.com, Kevin Cooper <kevinjcooper@d...>
wrote:
Mark,
Comet tails point away from the sun My Guide 8 shows the comet tail
trailing to the NE at an angle of 69 degrees. The angle from the
comet to the sun is 240 degrees. 180 from 240 gives 60. This give the
tail trailing 9 degrees off 180 degrees from the suns direction.
Therefore, if the comet's position is correct, the tail orientation
is correct within reason.
Kevin Cooper.