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Probably however, the comet will be consumed by the sun in its closest approach. https://spaceweather.com/.  The latest SOHO image shows a small comet approaching the sun.

I think the very first opportunity to see C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) will come at 7:25 on the morning of October 29, when the comet will be at zero altitude on the Rochester horizon and the Sun will be about 3.5 degrees below the horizon. You might be able to see the tail rising, which should run diagonally to the right below Spica. Visibility will improve…[Read more]

Nice one, Bob.

I hope that sungrazer survives its trip around the Sun. If it does we’ll have another comet to focus on before the end of the year.

That gif file looks poorly up close.  Below is a reduced PNG file instead.

Observing last night from my observatory.  The SW sky isn’t too light polluted and the comet was viewed and photographed from 8 to 9 pm.  Was using my 6 inch 150P Quattro scope and ZWO183 MC camera and Sky Watcher HEQ5 Pro mount.  Stacked six 5 second frames.  The image below is a relative closeup of the comet when it was near star SAO 122368 in Ophiuchus.

Yesterday, Friday, October 25, I was briefly observing at the KR7 reservoir in the upper parking lot, which has a better view than the lower parking lot. Unfortunately, from here you can also see the light sources on the horizon and there is clear light pollution from the city. Still, it’s a good place to observe near the city. Clouds were chasing…[Read more]

Tonight (10/23), viewing from dark skies in NE Wisconsin near Trego, comet C/2023 A3 is a naked eye object in the middle of Ophiuchus.  The comet is glorious in binoculars.  It is about 12 degrees below Rasalhague and 8 degrees or so above the two globular stars clusters M10 and M12.  I estimate the tail at 8-10 degrees and it appears intact in sp…[Read more]

The comet was barely visible last night. I was wondering if it had faded that much or was it this thing’s fault?

This was a few shots, a couple exposed for the Moon and a couple exposed for the silhouetted land.

Superb stacked image Duane!

Nice. Keep ’em comin’.   :).    The last shots I took last night was 8 shots with my iPhone. I stacked those tonight, aligned and stacked them, corrected the horizon, and stretched the image with curves to get this.

Great shots Duane that show the extent of comet C 2023 A3’s long tail.

I’ve selected a cell phone picture that was taken through the 50 mm finder scope-2x Barlow lens- 20 mm eyepiece concoction that was guided by my telescope mount.  I’ve identified some stars and the globular cluster M5 as well.

So glad to see several of you out there tonight.

I processed my first comet images from tonight (Oct 15th 2024) and got a surprise. M5 is up and to the right of the comet!  In this image you can also make out the other tail (pointing forward). I’m so glad I got out!

One more time: a view last night 10-14 at RRP

Getting this message when posting: https://wordpress.org/support/topic/there-has-been-a-critical-error-on-your-website-134/.  Is there a work around or what am I doing wrong!?

I had a meeting at Assisi Heights till 8 PM tonight, actually little bit longer. After, I tried to look at West horizon, I saw  Arcturus, not Venus. I did not see comet A3 with certainty.

I hope I will go to the Root River park on Tue 10/15 to see A3 coma next to the M5, about 1 degree apart.

The comet is now a pretty obvious naked eye object.  I was alone at Root River Park tonight and can heartily recommend this site as a great place to view the comet as it climbs higher in the western sky.  I had no trouble seeing the comet’s 10 degree tail and will be here tomorrow to take some pics.

Here is what little view Dustin and I managed from Salem Glen.  From 6:00 to 6:20 the clouds parted but by 7:00 they were thick again.  We waited for several holes in the clouds to blow over with the best views coming at 7:43.  The tail was visually noted before taking the photos with my phone to confirm.  We never did see Venus.

Weather looking a bit sketchy, but I am headed to Salem Glen regardless.

Thank you Bob, for spotting it first. Once you directed my eyes to the right spot I could see it. Before that it was invisible.

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Here are the details for Salem Glen viewing of C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS tonight.  We can park on the grass field near the hill so we don’t have to carry gear all the way from the parking lot.  We can set up any time after 5:00pm.  The winery closes at 5:00pm so arrive earlier if you wish to enjoy their wares.  We…[Read more]