Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3)
This was not taken with a telescope but rather my old Nikon 750 with a 135mm lens. It wasn't visible to the naked eye, at least by me, it certainly could be but for the moon and it's low position in the sky. From top to bottom this image spans 15 degrees (The equivalent of 30 moons!) and yet the tail is still clipped. I thought for sure I could get the whole comet in the frame. I also collected some images with my telescope, but that's just of the nucleus.
from space.com:
"Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has recently passed its closest approach to Earth and is now heading away from the Sun, though it's still visible in the night sky. After reaching its perihelion on September 27, 2024, it's been one of the brightest comets this century. The comet was closest to Earth on October 12, 2024, at a distance of about 71 million kilometers (44 million miles)
The initial calculations suggested that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was on a long-period orbit, potentially returning every 80,000 years, which would categorize it as an orbital comet. However, recent updates have indicated that this might not be accurate. As astronomers continue to gather more observational data, they've noted that the comet's path may actually lead it out of the solar system entirely, suggesting a possible hyperbolic trajectory rather than a closed elliptical orbit. This means that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) could be a non-periodic comet, visiting the solar system just this once before heading back into interstellar space, never to return. The distinction between a long-period and a hyperbolic orbit hinges on precise measurements and observations over time, which are still being refined for this comet.
As a comet approaches the Sun, it releases gas and dust. The finer dust gets pushed directly away from the Sun, forming the dust tail. However, some of the larger particles lag behind the nucleus along its orbit, essentially forming a trail. When Earth passes through or near the plane of the comet’s orbit, these larger particles can be seen in profile, appearing to spike straight out from the nucleus towards the Sun. This is the anti-tail.
The anti-tail is best visible when the Earth crosses the comet's orbital plane at or near the comet's tail. It's essentially an optical illusion from our vantage point; the dust isn't really heading towards the Sun but instead spreads along the comet’s path, seen edge-on. This alignment can make the anti-tail appear as a bright spike or fan emerging from the comet, creating a spectacular and somewhat counterintuitive visual"
Modified Nikon D750 (sensor filter removed)
100x15s exposures with Optolong L-Pro filter
Guided with Star Adventurer GTI, ASIair pro, ZWO 30mm guide scope
Processed with PixInsight, Ps
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3)
This was not taken with a telescope but rather my old Nikon 750 with a 135mm lens. It wasn't visible to the naked eye, at least by me, it certainly could be but for the moon and it's low position in the sky. From top to bottom this image spans 15 degrees (The equivalent of 30 moons!) and yet the tail is still clipped. I thought for sure I could get the whole comet in the frame. I also collected some images with my telescope, but that's just of the nucleus.
from space.com:
"Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) has recently passed its closest approach to Earth and is now heading away from the Sun, though it's still visible in the night sky. After reaching its perihelion on September 27, 2024, it's been one of the brightest comets this century. The comet was closest to Earth on October 12, 2024, at a distance of about 71 million kilometers (44 million miles)
The initial calculations suggested that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was on a long-period orbit, potentially returning every 80,000 years, which would categorize it as an orbital comet. However, recent updates have indicated that this might not be accurate. As astronomers continue to gather more observational data, they've noted that the comet's path may actually lead it out of the solar system entirely, suggesting a possible hyperbolic trajectory rather than a closed elliptical orbit. This means that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) could be a non-periodic comet, visiting the solar system just this once before heading back into interstellar space, never to return. The distinction between a long-period and a hyperbolic orbit hinges on precise measurements and observations over time, which are still being refined for this comet.
As a comet approaches the Sun, it releases gas and dust. The finer dust gets pushed directly away from the Sun, forming the dust tail. However, some of the larger particles lag behind the nucleus along its orbit, essentially forming a trail. When Earth passes through or near the plane of the comet’s orbit, these larger particles can be seen in profile, appearing to spike straight out from the nucleus towards the Sun. This is the anti-tail.
The anti-tail is best visible when the Earth crosses the comet's orbital plane at or near the comet's tail. It's essentially an optical illusion from our vantage point; the dust isn't really heading towards the Sun but instead spreads along the comet’s path, seen edge-on. This alignment can make the anti-tail appear as a bright spike or fan emerging from the comet, creating a spectacular and somewhat counterintuitive visual"
Modified Nikon D750 (sensor filter removed)
100x15s exposures with Optolong L-Pro filter
Guided with Star Adventurer GTI, ASIair pro, ZWO 30mm guide scope
Processed with PixInsight, Ps