Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

[Hardwarezone]

This comet got the local astro community excited over the past few days on facebook.

I made my attempt just now at 6:00am 1st october , waited about 5minutes for the clouds to move.
Easily visible 6:05am to 6:15am before the sunrise start to wash out.

Equipment used was 50mm binoculars which I mask down to 30mm to reduce chromatic aberration.
I used Moon as guide and moved roughly 2 field-of-view to the right. The comet tail looks 3/4 width of Moon. Nucleus is orange.
Might be barely visible to eye using averted vision , cannot confirm because my location is bright and sky not dark.
Location was top floor staircase.

For those who missed it , can try over next few days and later around 13 October onwards (West after Sunset) but it might be dimmer. Use Stellarium to plan.

[yltansg]

Hi Wong,

Thanks for the useful info.

Alfred

[Hardwarezone]

7 Oct 2024 news article quoted a few local experts

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... rom-oct-11

[PETER LOO]

Thanks Hardwarezone San for the recommendation to use Stellarium for planning. C2023 A3 Captured with skyguider pro mount last evening 13 Oct - 19:41 hrs when Altitude is around 5 deg. Canon 550D with EF200mm F2.8 Lens stop at F3.5, ISO:800, 5s X 9 stacked, strain the eyes can see a little bit of tail from photos (light pollusion too severe here).

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[Hardwarezone]

Afternoon 14 Oct 2024 news article about locals catching it on 13th

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... tographers

[PETER LOO]

This evening West sky opened, managed to get the tail (roughly processed.
Equipment wise the same except altitude now around 26.5 deg, also camera setting changed to 10s at ISO 100. Stacked 5.

[Airconvent]

Nicely taken

[PETER LOO]

Thanks Airconvent San, forgot to mention, the F stop had changed to F2.8. Also there was high cloud present although may not be thick. Taken many subs, most are useable.

[PETER LOO]

Adding a few more photos taken on 21 Oct 2024 evening.