Comet - Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3)

Lorddrakul

I didn't see a general celestial phenomenon or specific comet thread, so I thought I'd ask.

Has anyone spotted Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) from Ireland yet?

I'm in the big smoke, with terrible light pollution, but hoping to get to some remove and get clearer skies.

I'd be the most amateur of amateur observers, but as a lad, near froze to death to spot Halley's Comet in 1985

And got some spectacular views of Hale-Bopp in 1997. Even from a rooftop apartment block in Rathmines, Dublin, it was easily visible.

So, anyone any luck with Tsuchinshan–ATLAS?

lau1247

No luck so far. Cloudy unfortunately.

ItHurtsWhenIP

It was showing on the ISS Detector app last week as being visible early evening. It seems to be very low on the western horizon. I've got a great big hill behind my house (to the west) and if I were to go to the other side of it, I've then got Limerick City making shyte of the night sky to the west of that, so it may not be too visible for me. Might try to have a look if we get a clear evening.

Condor24

Clearly visible this evening from Offaly. In the west, long tail. Much better captures on camera, but give your eyes time to adjust, wonderful, rare sight.

ItHurtsWhenIP

Yeah, I was able to drive around the other side of the hill and see it myself. The phone did alright. The battery for my DSLR was dead, otherwise I would have a better image than this. Maybe the next clear evening? 🤞

ednwireland

spotted it last night but needed binoculars and the fog was rolling through.

Lorddrakul

Cheers, all that's good to hear.

Still planning to get out somewhere and have a look.

Condor24

Clear weather for a time tonight in most places it seems, so there should be a chance to see it away from light pollution of course. Weather conditions likely not too good over the weekend so try and see it tonight.

Lorddrakul

Managed to get out this evening for beautiful clear skies but went too late!

A combination of the comet being too low in the sky and the full moon too high meant we saw plenty of stars but no comet.

mossie

Got the counter on my phone Weds evening, just over the cable between the houses. No real visual sighting, maybe suspected I could see something but not definitive. Combination of bright background and moonlight making it difficult.

cnocbui

Had a bit of luck last night with the camera.

cnocbui

And with a longer lens…

take everything

Crazy that this comet has a period of 80000 years and I've heard very little mention of it.

Wouldn't mind seeing it myself.

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122756195#Comment_122756195

It's getting dimmer by the day and would need binoculars and dark skies well away from any urban light pollution. But even more you need all that AND a lack of clouds.

I managed to get photos of Neowise, I barely managed to get a shot of the much dimmer one that came after it, I failed to even see the one after that due to no break in the cloudy weather whatsoever, and I had to wait 3 or so weeks for a lack of clouds to the west of me in the evening to let me get some photos of this one.

This must be one of the worst countries in the world for astronomy.