Spend Christmas with Comet A3 thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project. Watch live as the comet departs our neighborhood. Image via Virtual Telescope Project.
Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS made a great evening appearance for us in October, becoming visible with the eye alone. The comet is now headed away from Earth, but the Virtual Telescope Project is letting you get a goodbye glimpse this Christmas. Join in at 17:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. CST) on December 23, 2024, at the Virtual Telescope site to watch a live view of the departing comet.
And you can see the comet in the pics below. People around the globe captured fantastic images of Comet A3 just after sunset. Check out some of the great images from our EarthSky community here. And see even more pics in this video.
Comet A3 in the evening sky
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Dean Balosie from Flamingo, Florida, shared this image of Comet A3 he captured on October 21, 2024. He wrote: “First clear night in months, I was in luck with about a 2 hour window before the clouds rolled back in. Very grateful I got to witness this comet before it leaves us. I think it looked spectacular parting the black sky!” Thank you, Dean.View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Abhijit Patil from San Mateo, California, captured the comet, the Milky Way and Venus on October 19, 2024, and wrote: “As an astrophotographer, this is the first time I am capturing a comet with the Milky Way. I am sure this is the case with many night owls like me. I would like to term this as a rare occurrence and a very beautiful one. Earlier I have shot Jupiter along the MW but photographing Venus and the Comet was truly a surreal experience.” Thank you!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Petr Horálek from Spišská Belá, Slovakia, captured this image of Comet A3 on October 16, 2024. Pietr wrote: “Today the moon appears in the sky as the brightest full moon of the year since it is a perigee moon. However, Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS made another record as it was visible despite the bright moon. In the highest visible summit in the image, right from the comet’s head, you can spot a small shining pearl, the Lomnicky Stit Observatory, where Czechoslovakian astronomers in 50s of last century discovered several other comets (including 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova).” Thank you, Petr!
More great shots
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Makrem Larnaout in Tunis captured Comet A3 and the globular star cluster M5 on October 16, 2024. Makrem wrote: “Comet C/2023 Tsuchinshan-Atlas appears to ‘kiss’ the globular cluster M5, also known as ‘The Rose,’ glowing in the same field. It was a challenging but rewarding experience!” Thank you, Makrem!Yarelis Medina of the Astronomical Society of the Caribbean captured this photo of thunderstorms sharing a sky with Comet A3 on October 15, 2024, from Utuado, Puerto Rico. Thank you, Yarelis! Used with permission.
More of our evening visitor
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tina Clothier in Hawaii caught Comet A3 and its anti-tail on October 13, 2024. Tina wrote: “On Mauna Kea with clear sky and brisk wind.” Thank you, Tina!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muhammad Alaa in Sanabo, Egypt, captured the comet on October 13, 2024. Muhammad wrote: “This photo came by chance. I was going up to the roof of my house with a cup of tea as usual every day, and when I looked toward the west, I noticed the presence of the comet. I could not believe it.” Thank you, Muhammad!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Virginia Adams in Newberry, Florida, captured the comet on October 13, 2024. Virginia wrote: “Parked on the side of the road and was thrilled when I finally saw it!” Thank you, Virginia!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Hadley Johnson in Santa Barbara, California, caught the comet on October 12, 2024. Hadley wrote: “It was a beautiful night on the California central coast … Perched on the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara gave me a great view of the comet.” Thank you, Hadley!
The comet after sunset
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | John Ashley in Green Valley, Arizona, caught Comet A3 on October 12, 2024. John wrote: “The comet put in a brief appearance Saturday evening.” Thank you, John!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Deborah Laferty in Tucson, Arizona, caught Comet A3 on October 13, 2024, from Saguaro National Park. Thank you, Deborah!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Fotis Mavroudakis captured the comet on October 14, 2024. Fotis wrote: “This is Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS after sunset over mountain Paggaion, Greece. Below the celestial event, the city of Kavala sparkles with lights at the edge of a calm sea.” Thank you, Fotis!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Betsy Burke caught the comet along with Venus (near the cactus) on October 14, 2024. from Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. Thank you, Betsy!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | John Humphrey in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, captured the comet on October 14, 2024. Thank you, John!
It has an anti-tail!
Read more about the comet’s anti-tail, which extends in the opposite direction of its regular tail.
View larger and annotated. Yarelis Medina caught the anti-tail of Comet A3 on October 13, 2024, from Utuado, Puerto Rico. Thank you, Yarelis!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Michael Flynn in Pine Mountain Club, California, captured the comet and its anti-tail on October 13, 2024. Thanks, Michael!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Steven Bellavia in Southold, New York, captured Comet A3 and its anti-tail on October 14, 2024. Thank you, Steven!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eliot Herman in Tucson, Arizona, caught the comet and its anti-tail on October 14, 2024. Eliot wrote: “The anti-tail is amazing, being narrow, almost like a laser beam.” Thank you, Eliot!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Abhijit Patil in Saratoga, California, captured Comet A3 and its anti-tail on October 13, 2024. Abhijit wrote: “We were accompanied by another photographer, his kids and some other young guys. It was fun to see them exclaim in amazement when we showed the comet to them and they could see it with the unaided eye and the binocs. It was a very satisfying moment as an astrophotographer for me.” Thank you, Abhijit!
The beauty of Comet A3 in the morning sky
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Faizus Amin in Point Reyes, California, captured Comet A3 on October 3, 2024. Thank you, Faizus!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Shannon McDonell in West Wyalong, Australia, caught Comet A3 on October 3, 2024. Thank you, Shannon!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muhammad Alaa in Assiut, Egypt, captured Comet A3 on October 2, 2024. Thank you, Muhammad!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Michael Flynn in Pine Mountain Club, California, caught Comet A3 on October 2, 2024. Thank you, Michael!
Endless cometary beauty
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Anthony Haber in Stanwell Tops, Australia, caught Comet A3 on October 1, 2024. Anthony wrote: “This was my first attempt to capture a photo of a comet. I left home at 3 a.m. and headed to the coast so that I had a clear view of the horizon to the east. I was happy to see the comet with my unaided eye , this being only my second comet I have ever seen … the first one being Halley’s Comet back in 1986.” Thank you, Anthony!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Christopher Hartley captured Comet A3 on October 1, 2024. Christopher wrote: “Photo taken at the old cattle sale yards and railway loading ramps (disused for more than 50 years) north of Cunnamulla in Outback Queensland, Australia.” Thank you, Christopher!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Marsha Kirschbaum in Castro Valley, California, captured Comet A3 on September 30, 2024. Marsha wrote: “I set my alarm for 4:00 a.m. and drove to a nearby park. I was so excited to capture this icy visitor. I was also amazed at how fast the comet moved at this focal length. Will now wait for mid-October when the comet will appear in the evening skies.” Thank you, Marsha!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tina Clothier in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, caught Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on September 27, 2024. Thank you, Tina!
Comet A3 in the morning sky
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Eliot Herman on Easter Island caught the comet on October 2, 2024. Eliot wrote: “An amazing place to see the comet in pre-dawn. I found myself imaging the natives of this island doing the same thing maybe 1,000 years ago and wondering what they might have thought of a bright comet rising over their Moai.” Thank you, Eliot!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Raúl Almeida in Cerro del Cubilete, Guanajuato, México, captured Comet A3 on October 1, 2024. Thank you, Raúl!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jean Cursino in Caçapava, Brazil, captured Comet A3 on October 1, 2024. Thank you, Jean!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muhammad Aslam caught this image of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in Pakistan on October 1, 2024. Muhammad wrote: “I was lucky enough to catch stunning Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinsan-ATLAS) over the Indus River. It was a once a lifetime experience that left me in awe.” Thank you, Muhammad!
Gorgeous pics of Comet A3 and the moon
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Kenny Cagle at Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, captured the comet on October 1, 2024. Kenny wrote: “While I could see the moon okay, there was no sight of the comet, and I forgot my binoculars. I was hoping my camera would catch it with a long exposure, and it did.” Thank you, Kenny!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Paul Schulz caught the waning crescent moon and rising comet from Safford, Arizona, on September 30, 2024. Paul wrote: “Went up a mountain road, high enough to see horizon unobstructed. I waited until the comet had risen above the horizon with the waning moon still visible. This was a dream shot.” Thank you, Paul!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Jose Palma in Setubal, Portugal, captured the moon and Comet A3 on September 30, 2024. Thank you, Jose!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Rod Chang in Arona, Tenerife, Spain, captured Comet A3 on September 30, 2024, along with the moon. Thank you, Rod!
Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from around the world
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Juan Sala in Valencia, Spain, caught Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) over the Mediterranean Sea during sunset on September 29, 2024. Thank you, Juan!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Osama Fathi captured this image of the comet over Mount Sinai in Egypt on September 28, 2024. Thank you, Osama!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Elke Schulz at Obstech El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile, caught Comet A3 on September 28, 2024. Elke wrote: “At this location, the comet was easily visible with the unaided eye. Fun fact: Even before the bright comet head appeared above the ridge, the tail by itself was nicely visible.” Thank you, Elke!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Susan Colosimo caught the comet rising above the Angeles National Forest in California on September 27, 2024. Thank you, Susan!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Grant Cowley in Port Lincoln, South Australia, caught the comet on September 27, 2024. Thank you, Grant!
Stunning views of Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muhammad Alaa captured the comet from his village in Upper Egypt on September 30, 2024. Muhammad wrote: “Part of the village appears in the picture, as well as some mountains and houses, and the minaret of the nearby mosque. From my house, I am very happy with this photo.” Thank you, Muhammad!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Abhijit Patil at Lick Observatory in California captured the comet on September 28, 2024. Abhijit wrote: “After looking at all the photos about the new comet from the Southern Hemisphere and a lot of missing out, finally the comet started making its appearance in the Northern Hemisphere.” Thank you, Abhijit!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | John Ashley caught the “comet on a mission” on September 29, 2024. He wrote: “Comet A3 ATLAS cleared the horizon and rose into the dawn sky beyond the tower at the historic Mission San Jose de Tumacacori, in southern Arizona.” Thank you, John!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muhummad Aslam in Sindh, Pakistan, caught the comet on September 28, 2024. Thank you, Muhammad!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Bill Phelps caught Comet A3 over Isla Carmen in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, on September 27, 2024. Thank you, Bill!
Comet A3 photo gallery continued
View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in United Arab Emirates captured Comet A3 on September 27, 2024. Tameem wrote: “It’s currently in the constellation of Sextans, at a distance of more than 139 million kilometers from Earth.” Thank you, Tameem!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Roosevelt Silva in Formosa, Brazil, captured this view of the comet on September 25, 2024. Thank you, Roosevelt!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Saeed Ahmed Abbasi in Kandiaro, Sindh, Pakistan, captured our “celestial visitor” on September 24, 2024. Thank you, Saeed!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Stephen James O’Meara in Maun, Botswana, captured Comet A3 on September 24, 2024. James wrote: “This view is representative of how the comet appears through 8×42 binoculars.” Thank you, James!View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Lucy Yunxi Hu in Lake George, Australia, captured this time slice of Comet A3 rising at dawn on September 21, 2024. Lucy said: “The image was shot during the blue hour (between 4:28 and 4:53 am local time).” Thank you, Lucy!
More gorgeous pics of Comet A3
Victor Rivera in Puerto Rico captured Comet A3 on September 22, 2024. Thank you, Victor! Used with permission.Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) on September 18, 2024, from Queensland, Australia. Terry Lovejoy took this image and estimated the magnitude at 4.0. He said the comet was visible dimly in 10×42 binoculars as a fuzzy star with a hint of tail. Used with permission.Terry Lovejoy captured Comet A3 from Queensland, Australia, on September 16, 2024. Thank you, Terry! Used with permission.Michael Mattiazzo captured this image of Comet A3 on September 15, 2024, from Victoria, Australia. Thank you, Michael! Used with permission.
Bottom line: Spend Christmas with Comet A3 in this live feed from the Virtual Telescope Project! Plus see many more fantastic images here.
Kelly Kizer Whitt
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About the Author:
Kelly Kizer Whitt – EarthSky’s nature and travel vlogger on YouTube – writes and edits some of the most fascinating stories at EarthSky.org. She’s been writing about science, with a focus on astronomy, for decades. She began her career at Astronomy Magazine and made regular contributions to other outlets, including AstronomyToday and the Sierra Club. She has nine published books, including a children’s picture book, Solar System Forecast, and a young adult dystopian novel, A Different Sky.
