14 replies to this topic

[astrocy]

I was able to find C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) this morning of September 29th, around 5:40 am, roughly 3 degrees above the east horizon. This was my first attempt to look for the comet and I was not optimistic, because of its low altitude, the necessity of a clean horizon and the presence of the Moon, but as weather conditions were excellent, I had to try anyway. To find it, using 10x50 binoculars, I started from the Moon, then moved to Regulus (Alpha Leonis) and I followed this virtual line to the horizon and there it was! Obvious with a bright nucleus and a short tail pointing up and to the right of more than a degree length directly visible. Despite the brightening background I was able to follow the comet until after 6:05 am when it was still less than 10 degrees above the east horizon. Because of its position it was difficult to observe the comet with a telescope or to photograph it. Also, it was difficult to estimate its brightness, but for sure it was not visible with the naked eye.

Edited by astrocy, 28 September 2024 - 11:49 PM.

[Marcin_78]

At what latitude?

 

Without specifying at least the latitude of your location, info about degrees above the horizon is meaningless for comet observing because of differences in twilight between different latitudes (when the comet is at a particular height above the horizon).

 

I tried to see the comet today at 52 degrees north in a rural area near my home city with a clear line almost to to the horizon and there was not a trace of it. When the comet was 3 degrees above the horizon the twilight was something like this:
 

 

 

However at 40.8 degrees north (in Napoli/Naples, Italy) when the comet was 3 degrees above the horizon the twilight was something like this:
 

 

There is a HUGE difference in sky/twilight conditions between different latitudes (when the comet is at a particular height above the horizon).

 

It's worth to notice also the difference in observing time – the farther south the earlier one can start observations (of this particular comet).

 

Clear skies!

Edited by Marcin_78, 29 September 2024 - 01:07 AM.

[astrocy]

At what latitude?

 

Without specifying at least the latitude of your location, info about degrees above the horizon is meaningless for comet observing because of differences in twilight between different latitudes (when the comet is at a particular height above the horizon).

 

I tried to see the comet today at 52 degrees north in a rural area near my home city with a clear line almost to to the horizon and there was not a trace of it. When the comet was 3 degrees above the horizon the twilight was something like this:
 

Comet 3 degrees above the horizon at 52 degrees north.jpg

 

 

However at 40.8 degrees north (in Napoli/Naples, Italy) when the comet was 3 degrees above the horizon the twilight was something like this:
 

Comet 3 degrees above the horizon at 40.8 degrees north.jpg

 

There is a HUGE difference in sky/twilight conditions between different latitudes (when the comet is at a particular height above the horizon).

 

It's worth to notice also the difference in observing time – the farther south the earlier one can start observations (of this particular comet).

 

Clear skies!

With 17 degrees difference in latitude between your location and mine, it was much easier for me to find the comet under a darker sky, 3 degrees above the horizon and be able to follow it visually for almost half an hour.

Edited by astrocy, 29 September 2024 - 02:12 AM.

[Marcin_78]

With 17 degrees difference in latitude between your location and mine, it was much easier for me to find the comet under a darker sky, 3 degrees above the horizon and be able to follow it visually for almost half an hour.

35 degrees north? Wow! At this latitude even the southernmost Messier object (M7) can be seen 20 degrees above the horizon. What a treat!

[ayadai]

15 degrees North Latitude, 2024/09/30:05:20, the clouds miraculously parted for the first time in two months and Tsuchinshan-Atlas was clearly visible with the naked eye through the overcast. Although it was below the treeline from where I set up the larger scopes, I was able to get a somewhat reasonable image of it with a Nikon D5500 and a TPO180 lens on a camera tripod at a different location:

 

 

Edited by ayadai, 29 September 2024 - 03:00 PM.

[WillyKidAZ]

All ... for those planning to continue capturing Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is it true that it has now "disappeared" until later this month (Oct 12th or so)???  Or, can you still photograph it in the early morning hours just before sunrise?

[RMay]

Could not see it from 38.6° north latitude, central Northern California, but saw it yesterday and the day before. Quite faint.

It should return to evening skies some time around Oct 10.

Ron

Edited by RMay, 01 October 2024 - 11:57 AM.

[ayadai]

All ... for those planning to continue capturing Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is it true that it has now "disappeared" until later this month (Oct 12th or so)???  Or, can you still photograph it in the early morning hours just before sunrise?

It was much "closer" to the sun today than yesterday; this trend will continue until approximately 10/12 when it will "reappear" in the evening sky.  Given that at 15N it was far less visible today than it was over the last two days, I'd say that it's effectively "disappeared" for many of those further north.

[astrocy]

I was still able to find C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) this morning of October 5th, around 6:05 am, again roughly 3 degrees above the east horizon. Weather conditions were excellent and using 10x50 binoculars, I could see its nucleus and the start of its tail without difficulty. And despite the brightening background, I was able to follow the comet until around 6:20 am when it was roughly 6 degrees above the east horizon. I could not see the comet with the naked eye.

Edited by astrocy, 04 October 2024 - 11:23 PM.

[astrocy]

I searched for C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) this evening of October 12th using 10x50 binoculars, but I could not find it even though I had a clean view of the west horizon. Around 7:00 pm, when I was about to give up, I took a few photos, trying to cover the horizon from Arcturus to Venus. When I returned home to my surprise, I noticed that I had captured the comet.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by astrocy, 12 October 2024 - 02:18 PM.

[salico]

congrats! After nearly givin up, I found it in the Fuji 10*50 on p gram mount evening 11th in N51°/E10° at around 7pm. estimate 6° above horizon. Way below Venus brightness, no tail, fuzzy spot... Arcturus visible just two minutes before, remember, at dusk. Maybe -1mag or 0mag

 

Sal

[astrocy]

I was able to find C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), this evening of October 13th, around 7:00 pm, first using 10x50 binoculars and then with the naked eye. The increased altitude of the comet made things easier, despite the brighter Moon. The comet was not obvious without optical aid, but was there, both head and tail visible, if you knew exactly where to look. I also took a few unguided photos.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by astrocy, 13 October 2024 - 02:04 PM.

[salico]

Hi. Saw it N50/E10 from 7:40 local time (UTC+2) in 10*50 Fuji+UBM P mount. Maybe 0mag, 4° tail diagonal towards North/East. Moon, hazy clouds, so difficult conditions. Around 6° above horizon.

 

Sal

[astrocy]

I observed C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) again this evening of October 19th, until moonrise around 7:30 pm. The comet, once found in 10x50 binoculars, was also visible naked eye, around +4 magnitude, with a tail of approximately 2-3 degrees, but was still not an object to attract the attention of anyone not looking for it. More obvious was a pass of the Starlink constellation, of which I counted 19 satellites in a row, between +2 and +3 magnitude. I also took a few photos of the comet.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by astrocy, 19 October 2024 - 03:58 PM.

[geovermont]

I've observed the comet here in central Vermont for the past few nights, and tonight was the best so far. Easily visible with naked eye direct vision by 7:05 p.m. while still in twilight. Using 6 x 30 binoculars I was getting the tail as at least 5 degrees in extent. I have some photos to download and process, but they won't be much in comparison to some of the stunners we're seeing. A very satisfying view. The sky was brightening some by 8 p.m. and the naked eye view seemed to be dimmer. Tomorrow night is also predicted to be clear, so the moon situation at least should be even better. This is turning out to be a fun one!