Tsuchinshan–ATLAS Comet

During last weekend's clampout in the Arizona desert, I tried to see the  C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) comet.

Unfortunately, there was a bright moon so I had no such luck. Last night, it was cloudy out so I could not see it. I'll try again tonight.

The only comet I had been able to see, and photograph, was Hale-Bopp. It was bright enough to see without any effort even from downtown Los Angeles and from the Silverlake Reservoir. 

Below is one of my Hale-Bopp photographs taken near Agua Dulce in 1997:

Here's where the Tsuchinshan–ATLAS comet will be:

Photo by: Rob Perillo/KATC.

Comet Shoot

Early tomorrow morning, I am going to attempt taking some photos of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) with my Canon Revel T5i. I have never taken time exposures with a digital SLR, so this will be a new experience for me.

I am in the perfect area for astro-photography as the Milky Way is very spectacular on clear nights.

Above, Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did take some time exposures of Comet Hale-Bopp back in 1997. I was using my Olympus OM-1 35mm SLR film camera. A neighbor and I went to Acton, California to do the photography, where it was nice and dark between the San Fernando Valley and Palmdale. I was pleased with the results I got. 

Right now, I am charging the camera's battery. I just hope I can accomplish this even though it will be bone-chilling cold.

UPDATE (2/2/23):

I decided to skip going out to shoot the comet (with the camera). It is 14° outside and I found that extremely cold temperatures wreak havoc with digital cameras. Plus, there are some clouds.

Green Comet To Pass Earth

Above, Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Skywatchers may be getting a rare special treat at the end of this month when a green comet will be passing the Earth.

KIII-TV reported:

A newly discovered bright green comet is on its way past Earth for a once-in-a-lifetime show, and it may be visible to the naked eye.

The comet, named C/2022 E3 (ZTF), was discovered in March 2022 and is passing through our solar system. The icy celestial object has gotten brighter and brighter as it nears the sun, building up excitement from astronomers and skywatchers alike. 

Comets are "cosmic snowballs" of dust, rock and ice. They heat up as they near the sun, taking on a stunning glow and spewing a tail of dust and gas that can stretch millions of miles.

NASA says the bright green comet has a short, broad tail of dust and a long, faint ion tail. You can't see it without a telescope yet, but a few astronomers have nabbed stunning photos as it continues its voyage. 

It will soar past the sun Jan. 12, making its closest approach to Earth around Feb. 2. NASA says those of us in the Northern Hemisphere will find the comet in the morning sky as it heads northwest this month. It'll be visible in the Southern Hemisphere as well in February. 

Above, a panel from Superman no. 172.

When I first saw the headline about a green comet, I immediately thought of a 1964 Edmond Hamilton story in Superman no.172 of the Man of Steel's encounter with a green comet that takes away his super-powers. It was one of the great stories from the Silver Age of comic books. It was drawn by Curt Swan and George Klein.

To read more, go here.