Here is a CCD image which has 44 minutes of "R" (on the Cousins system) exposure on the position that was supposed to be occupied by Nancy's planet on Dec. 5, 2001. First is a 44 minute image with an "observatory grade" telescope. Next is the same portion of a Palomar Sky Survey image. Finally we have a copy of the first image with Nancy's Dec 8 prediction located at the "D" of the 08DEC label, and the Dec. 5th location (the epoch of the 44 minute image) marked by the cross.
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| 44 minute CCD image | 45 minute Palomar image | CCD image with target locations |
It is apparent that all objects shown on the 44 minute image are seen on the Palomar image taken decades before. Photometric analysis of the 44 minute image shows that the faintest objects are a bit fainter than 19th magnitude, more that 1000 times fainter than the magnitude Nancy quotes for her planet.
Added 01MAR02: Nancy has now claimed that she sees her planet on this image as well. She has circled the spot to demonstrate this. Below I have placed an enlargement of the original FITS image (so you can see the individual pixels) and I have made a mask from Nancy's circle and the stars on the original with circles around them, scaled the mask so the stars match, and then overlaid on the FITS enlargement. I do not see anything in the center of her circle and I don't think you will either.
Below I have followed the lead of Duncan Carroll and have created an animation that alternates my image with Nancy's version with its circle. This again shows that there is nothing in her circle.
