Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

[Weather-history]

This has become of interest after this comet  was discovered by a South African Observatory last month. It won't reach perihelion until 28th September, next year and closest to Earth around the 13th October 2024 at about 0.5 AU .

Speculation is that it could become a naked eye comet, so watch this space over the next few months. 

 

New Comet With Great Potential — C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

STARWALK.SPACE

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A new noteworthy comet has been discovered! It could reach naked-eye visibility by mid-October 2024. Here is what we know about it so far.

 

[Jamie M]

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) | astro.vanbuitenen.nl

ASTRO.VANBUITENEN.NL

Possible -3 mag from forward scattering would be something. Always tricky predicting comets this far out as they go wrong

A little comparison to other comets I've pinched from comet group on groups.io

C/2023 A3 is currently magnitude ~18 at over 7 AU from the Sun

Comet Hale-Bopp was discovered at magnitude 12, 7 AU from the sun, and reached perihelion at 0.9 AU out.

Comet ZTF was discovered at magnitude 17, 4.5 AU from the Sun, and reached perihelion 1.1 AU out.

Comet NEOWISE (2020 F3) was discovered at magnitude 17, 2 AU from the Sun, and reached perihelion 0.3 AU out.

Comet McNaught (2006 P1) was discovered at magnitude 17, 3 AU from the Sun, and reached perihelion 0.17 AU out.

Edited March 2, 2023 by Jamie M

[Weather-history]

Not heard about this comet since but still looks hopeful

 

 

[Dreckly]

[Weather-history]

Oh dear, looks  like it could be a bust

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Appears To Be Breaking Up Ahead Of Close Approach To Earth

WWW.IFLSCIENCE.COM

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The object was expected to be brighter than Jupiter as it approached Earth.

 

[Sprites]

I read about the likely disintegration on Spaceweather. It's a shame for astronomers and casual observers, was looking forward to seeing this comet.

[Sprites]

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

WWW.SPACEWEATHER.COM

 

[The Tall Weatherman]

Some very exciting news for comet lovers at the moment. We can never be 100% certain that it won’t break up but previous grim predictions were peer reviewed as false and the predictions have not come to fruition. Current estimates are showing it just a bit brighter than neowise at peak but it could go to -3.0 magnitude.

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas): What to Expect This Autumn?

STARWALK.SPACE

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The next bright comet, C/2023 A3, is less than a month away! Will it be visible to the naked eye? When and how is it best to observe? Find out here!

 

[Weather-history]

What to expect from Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in October 2024

WWW.SKYATNIGHTMAGAZINE.COM

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Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is set to take centre stage in October 2024. Follow our guide to find out how to see it and key dates.

 

[Sprites]

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looking good for October 

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looking good for October – British Astronomical Association

BRITASTRO.ORG

 

[Weather-history]

 Sprites

I'm not holding my breath with this one, it doesn't like it is going to reach McNaught or even NEOWISE levels. Too reliant on forward scattering...and a clear horizon. 

[Sprites]

 Weather-history Yes it's past it's peak brightness when we get to see it, and it's not best placed. But sometimes comets can have outbursts in brightness. 

[Jamie M]

Stellarium (once I had calculated the ephemeris again) has C/2023 A3 at an optimistic 0 for magnitude on the 30th of September and may make for a nice composition at sunrise. It'll probably be cloudy though  

[Methuselah]

Ah, another Comet Kahoutek then? 

[Jamie M]

 Methuselah

Hopefully predictions have improved from 50 years ago 

[Metwatch]

 

[GreyCrag]

Saturday morning (tomorrow) looks to be the best time for sighting ATLAS A3 with clear skies across most of the UK, there's only a small window between 6am-6:30am but anyone with a Scope/Binocs will easily see it as a 'fuzzy ball' ahead of sunrise whilst those with a DSLR/Phone-Camera should be able to extrapolate some detail of the nucleus & tail under around 2s of exposure time.

[GreyCrag]

[Weather-history]

Had a look but I couldn't see anything with the naked eye.

 

[Southern Storm]

 Weather-history Clear conditions here but I couldn't see it at all, some of the pictures on social media look very impressive so I'm surprised it wasn't more visible. 

Hopefully they'll be more opportunities later in October

[Jamie M]

Tiny! 

[The Tall Weatherman]

October 14th looks to be the best date for the comet visually. It will be low on the horizon on this date but it will maximise the comets brightness that could be up to -2.0 on October 12-14th. Comets that bright should break through the sunlight more easily like Neowise.

[GreyCrag]

I had a crack at finding it this morning with the Z7 at full 250mm but couldn't see anything even with a 2s exposure, somewhat belated I resigned to watching the sunrise instead from the lower slopes of Rushup Edge and away from a quite busy Mam Tor. Fingers crossed for all of us that the weather will be generous in around 2 weeks from now.

[The Tall Weatherman]

 

[Sprites]

 GreyCrag  Quite busy for early Saturday morning. 

Nice photo