Log Astronomy: It's not too late to catch a comet!

You can still observe Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS with the naked eye, but you need a dark sky!

Don't give up on comet-hunting!

Explore Scientific employee Kent Marts took this photo of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on Saturday at a dark site in northwest Arkansas. He used an iPhone 14 propped up on a stool to take this 10-second exposure.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS can still delight, but you need to observe under a dark sky!

If you were hoping to catch a glimpse of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS before it exits the inner solar system but fear you may have missed your chance, don't despair because you still have time to see this celestial wonder with your own unaided eye. The key is finding a dark sky, away from city lights!

Recently, Kevin Shank, an Explore Scientific dealer in Virginia, shared the following analysis of observing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS for the next week or so:

"The comet is expected to be naked-eye visible until October 26. For the past week, there has been a bright moon to challenge the comet. After the full moon on October 17, each night the moon will rise 50 minutes later than the previous night. So, moving forward, there is an increasingly large dark period before the moon rises. We knew where to look for the comet, so yes, even in the bright light of the supermoon that occurred, we were able to see the comet naked eye. Over the weekend we went to dark skies in West Virginia. With the moon rising 50 minutes later Friday, Oct. 18, we were eager to see if the comet would be making a brighter presentation again. While there was still a lot of moonlight, we feel like there was a very significant dimming of the comet without regard to the bright moon. For example, we could very easily see the comet the evening of Oct. 14, by 7:20 pm. Tonight, Oct. 18, with no moon, we could not see it naked eye until 7:30. That doesn't mean give up on this comet. Use binoculars if you have to. But, looking sooner rather than later is going to give you the best views that are possible from now until it becomes too dim to see naked eye."

— Kevin Shank

Nature Friend Magazine

Kevin Shank of Nature Friend Magazine recently captured this image of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. He says about the photo: "Some people think the photography means the comet can be seen in the twilight. Actually, what you have seen in any photos we have taken is landscape illuminated by a bright moon under full dark skies. So, viewing at 7 p.m. for example, won't work."

Could another comet be on the horizon?

For those with comet fever, be aware that a sungrazer comet is set to round the Sun on October 28. If the comet known as C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) survives the trip, it will be visible in the morning before sunrise. It could brighten more than Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS did, and become daytime visible. Although this would be spectacular, it is a long shot. Many sungrazer comets do not survive their trip around the Sun, and the latest predictions on C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) indicate that it may already be breaking up. However, we can always hope, so keep your eyes on the sky!