C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) (06 Mar 2024)

 Comet, Solar System  No Responses »
Mar 112024
 

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) AKA CK23A030 is a long period Oort cloud comet. It was first discovered on the 9th of January by the Purple Mountain Observatory near Nanjing, China and then again, independently, by the ATLAS system in South Africa on the 22nd of Feb. The comet’s perihelion will occur on the 27th of September 2024 and then pass closest to the Earth less than a month later on the 12th of October. CK23A030 is in a retrograde orbit and is currently above the ecliptic. It will dip below it in the middle of June and back above it the beginning of October.

This image is a stack of 11 images centered on the comet taken on the 6th of March. On that date, the comet’s magnitude was 12.6 but since it is still on its inbound leg and considerably outside the orbit of Mars, it should get much brighter by the end of the year. It has the potential to get bright enough for naked eye visibility, but it is a comet, and comets pay no attention to astronomer’s predictions.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) [CV:11x300s]

C/2023 A3’s orbit.
(Graphic courtesy of the JPL Small-Body Database Browser)

The length of its orbit around the Sun, prior to this close pass, was in the millions of years but getting this close may modify the orbit to hyperbolic and eject the comet from the solar system. The orbit chart is current as of 11 March.

 Posted by at 03:41

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Where is it?

 Comet, Solar System  No Responses »
Jan 302023
 

This is a map of the sky at 2000 CST. It shows the location of the comet at that time and the path shows the location for future dates at 2000 CST. As you can see, the North Celestial Pole is at the bottom as if you were looking North. Right now, with the light pollution in the area, the can be seen using binoculars. You will not be able to see any of the tail. It will appear as a slight smudge of light.

 Posted by at 11:26

C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (08 Jan 2023)

 Comet, Solar System  No Responses »
Jan 082023
 

Due to prompting from some of my west coast friends, I stayed up way too long and got these images of the “green comet” just before encroaching clouds and pending dawn stopped the session. Additional interference was light from a 16-day old Moon. But this stack shows the comet is developing a nice tail.

C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
[CV:2x60s]

The comet is a long period comet. JPL says the orbital period is not defined; other sources just say the orbit is greater than 50,000 yrs. It spends most of that orbit below the ecliptic, but right now is above it and just outside Earth’s orbit. It will cross below the ecliptic around the 12th of February roughly halfway between the Earth and Mars. It will be closest to the Earth on the 1st of February.

C/2022 E3’s orbit.
(Graphic courtesy of the JPL Small-Body Database Browser)

So, this is just a preview. In a couple of weeks, the comet will be above the tree line at a more convenient time (0300), the Moon will not be up, and I will be able to take the necessary exposures to put together a color photo.

 Posted by at 12:51

Comet 29P/Schwassmann–Wachmann (28 Nov 2022)

 Comet, General Commentary, Solar System  No Responses »
Dec 022022
 

Comet 29P is known for its periodic outbursts. It grabbed earth-based astronomer’s attention again on the 22nd of November. On average, the comet brightens 7.3 times per year. Normally, the comet’s magnitude is around 16.0 but current measurements show the comet at 12.2. Remember, the lower the number, the brighter the object. This image shows the characteristic ‘notch’ in the comet’s coma and close examination shows a slight, barely visible twist in it.

Comet 29P (Schwassmann–Wachmann 1) [C:1x60s]

Because its orbit lies entirely between Jupiter and Saturn, it is classified as a Centaur object. Its year is 14.7 earth years long and currently lies above the ecliptic. The nucleus of the comet is estimated to be roughly 60 km (37 mi) in diameter.

29P’s orbit.
(Graphic courtesy of the JPL Small-Body Database Browser)

As of the 2nd of December, the comet is visible in the constellation Gemini. It rises around 1830, transits the meridian at 0155 and sets well after sunrise at 0914.

Cosmic ray/Muon track

Also visible top-center in the first image is an excellent example of how sensitive modern CCD chips are.
The tracks visible are attributed high energy particles impacting the chip. Straight tracks are expected from cosmic rays or muons created by cosmic rays hitting atoms in our atmosphere. Curved tracks, known as worms, indicate somewhat less energetic particles thought to be generated by “Compton scattering” due to emissions by physical components in the immediate area of the chip. Some glass formulae (e.g. BK7) are notorious for this. However, the proximity, directionality and time constraints of this image could indicate that the straight and curved tracks are related to the same event.

 Posted by at 13:34

C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)

 Comet, Solar System  1 Response »
Dec 242021
 

Unfortunately, Comet Leonard is not visible from the PTO due to the surrounding tree line. Luckily, there is always more than one comet in the sky. FYI, as of today (24 Dec 2021) there are more than 900 objects in the MPC list of observable comets.

This is comet C/2019 L3. It was discovered on the 9th of June 2019 by the ATLAS program.

C/2019 L3 (ATLAS)
[C:60x60s]

The comet is currently visible in the constellation Gemini heading towards perihelion on the 9th of January 2022. Right now, it is above the ecliptic but due to cross into the southern sky on the 18th of February next year.

C/2019 L3’s orbit viewed from above the solar system.
Graphic courtesy of the JPL Small-Body Database Browser.

As can be seen in the orbit diagram, the comet’s perihelion of 3.5 AU puts the closest it comes to the Sun well outside the orbit of Mars.

 Posted by at 18:03
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