1-in-80,000-Year Comet to Light Up Slakwa Skies
Slakwa goers, get ready—one of the brightest comets in a century is lighting up the night sky, and you won’t need a telescope to see it. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) is making its first appearance in 80,000 years, offering a rare celestial spectacle. Visible to the naked eye, the comet could reach a brightness rivaling some of the brightest stars, with a dazzling tail that stretches across the horizon. But as with all comets, there is a thrilling unpredictability—will it be a showstopper or merely a fleeting ghost of light?
Well, that all lies in its composition and journey. On September 27, Comet A3 reached its perihelion—the closest it can get to the Sun—at about 59 million km away. This is the riskiest time for a comet, as it can break apart because of the Sun's influence. This is why predicting a comet’s future brightness is incredibly difficult.
Thankfully, Comet A3 survived its journey around the Sun. The period from September 27 through October 4 saw it shining in the east before sunrise, albeit very low on the horizon. However, this period ended around October 4 when it slipped into the sun's glare.
If Comet A3 is bright and easily seen during that period, prepare for a spectacular show later in October when it re-emerges, with the best viewing likely on October 10 to 20, largely because it will get closest to Earth on October 12, when it will pass about 71 million km from Earth.
This once-in-a-lifetime comet will be most visible during mid-October, with the most optimal viewing times being in the third week of October. See the table below for more information:
Richard’s Rocketry recommends these tips for photography and viewing.
Viewing Tips:
Dark Skies: even though it may be visible in suburban areas, try to get yourself to as dark a location as possible. Use https://darksitefinder.com/map to find dark spots near you.
Unobstructed Horizon: Find a place with a clear view of the horizon, especially for the early morning and evening views when the comet will be low in the sky.
Weather Forecasts: Use tools like Clear Dark Sky to get cloud forecasts to ensure the skies will be clear for viewing.
Photography Tips:
Use a Manual Camera: Equip it with a telephoto lens (70-200mm) and set it on a tripod with a remote shutter release to avoid the camera shaking.
Adjust Settings: Start with an ISO Sensitivity of at least 800, a wide aperture (f/2 – f/4), and apply the Rule of 500 for shutter speed (e.g., 5 seconds for a 100mm lens) to avoid star trails.
Focus Tips: Fine-tune focus on a bright star or planet before the comet shows up. If possible, pre-focus the night before and mark your focus ring with tape.
Smartphone Users: Make sure to secure your phone with a tripod or selfie stick. Night mode is especially helpful with long exposures.
So when you pack for Slakwa, make sure to bring your phones and cameras. Look up at the night sky, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sources:
How to See Tsuchinshan-Atlas: The ULTIMATE Guide
https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/comet-tsuchinshan-atlas-iss-earth-show-october
