Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Magnitude: -4.9
Waning Gibbous Mon (64.3%)
Sunset: 6:17 PM ADT
Moonrise: 10:08 PM ADT
Location: Home
Date: 2024-10-22
Time: 7:15-8:30 PM ADT
S&T Chart Reference: 54
Unfortunately, no notes regarding conditions were made. However, I did sketch the location of the comet in Ophiuchus during all 3 observations. I had to stand in our neighbour's yard as they have a lower SW horizon and no trees to interrupt the view.
Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, the brightest comet in 27 years since Hale-Bopp in 1997, is a long-period comet originating from the Oort Cloud and reached its peak brightness in early October. According to reports from various sources, by this date the tail was estimated to be over 20 degrees long photographically and had dimmed to 4th magnitude.
In June, this comet had been located in Hercules.
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Observation #1: The comet was seen south of Rasalhague (α Ophiuchus). It appeared as a large ball with a very wide tail.
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Observation #2: The comet had moved a little further south of Rasalhague.
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