What if a comet could light up the sky for weeks, offering breathtaking views for stargazers around the world? Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS did just that in 2024, captivating sky watchers across both hemispheres. Discovered over a year before its spectacular display, this icy celestial wanderer exceeded expectations and became the highlight of the year for astronomers. In this post, we’ll dive into its discovery, stunning visuals, and what made this comet a must-see event for astronomy lovers.
The Rare Comet That Delivered
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) was no ordinary comet. While most comets are unpredictable, this one had the perfect combination of anticipation and brilliance. Discovered on January 9, 2023, it made headlines well before its peak in 2024, becoming one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year.
At its brightest, the comet was visible to the naked eye, outshining stars in the night sky. During its closest approach to Earth on October 12, 2024, it reached a magnitude of -4.9, making it the brightest comet since Hale-Bopp in 1997.
✓ Spectacular Visibility: Visible without a telescope during its peak. ✓ Impressive Tail: The comet’s tail stretched up to 15° in length. ✓ Naked-Eye Views: Stargazers could enjoy stunning views for weeks.
As Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS approached, it first graced the Southern Hemisphere with pre-dawn naked-eye views. This shot was taken from Farm Tivoli in Namibia on Sept. 30, 2024, a few days after perihelion. Credit: Gerald Rhemann
A Cosmic Journey
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS took a long journey through our solar system before its closest encounter with Earth. Initially spotted at a distance of 670 million miles (1.1 billion kilometers) from the Sun, the comet moved between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn before heading toward the Sun.
First Discovery: Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) in China detected the comet in January 2023.
Confirmation: A few months later, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) confirmed the discovery.
Closest Approach: On October 12, 2024, the comet passed closest to Earth.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS appears above the ridgeline of the Diablo Range in this Sept. 28 shot taken from Lick Observatory, California. The photographer captured the comet in a tracked 10-second exposure at ISO 100 with an astromodified Nikon mirrorless camera and a 200 mm zoom lens at f/2.8. Credit: Abhijit Patil
The comet’s long tail appears in this 30-second shot taken from Caçapava, São Paulo, Brazil. The photographer used a Nikon DSLR and 50 mm lens at f/2.2 and ISO 250. Orbits of long-period comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS cannot be predicted precisely, but on its current course, it won’t return for around 80,000 years. Credit: Jean Cursino
The Stunning Visuals
What truly set this comet apart was the stunning imagery it left in its wake. As it passed through the sky, photographers from around the globe captured breathtaking images of the comet’s tails, each one offering a unique view of the icy traveler.
Some notable shots include:
Cerro Pachón, Chile: A panoramic image featuring the Milky Way, comet tail, and zodiacal light.
Farm Tivoli, Namibia: A post-perihelion shot capturing the comet’s appearance just after its closest approach.
Griffith Park, Los Angeles: A unique shot featuring the comet above the Hollywood Hills.
Painters Point near Carmel-by-the-Sea in Monterey County, California, lies beneath the Milky Way and Comet Tsuchinsan-ATLAS in this 18-panel mosaic taken Oct. 22, 2024. Each panel of sky consists of a 30-second exposure taken with an astromodified Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera at ISO 3200, a zoom lens at 24 mm and f/2.8, and a UV/IR cut and Hα bandpass filter. Credit: Abhijit PatilA trio of Orionid meteors accompany Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in this Oct. 21 composite photo taken from Singalila National Park in West Bengal, India, at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet (2,100 m). The photographer used a Panasonic mirrorless camera and lens at 35 mm, capturing the comet with twenty-four 8-second frames at f/4 and ISO 6400. Separate stacks were captured for the starlight and foreground. Credit: Soumya BanerjeeComet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS mingles with the stars and spotlights above the Hollywood Hills in this image taken from Griffith Park in Los Angeles on Oct. 12, 2024. The photographer used an iPhone 14 Pro to take a 10-second exposure. Credit: Nasir JeevanjeeThe comet shares the frame with the Milky Way and satellite streaks over the mountains outside Salt Lake City. This image is a 60-second exposure taken with a Canon DSLR and 14 mm lens at f/2.5 and ISO 1600. Credit: Martin RatcliffeThe comet’s dust and ion tails blend in a combination of orange and blue hues in this shot taken Oct. 14 from Piano Vetore on the southern flank of Mount Etna at an elevation of 5,700 feet (1750 m). The image comprises 25 minutes of exposure with a 2.4-inch refractor and cooled CMOS camera. Credit: Aldo Rocco VitaleA sinuous ion tail and brilliant dust tail are on display in this shot taken Sept. 30, three days after reaching perihelion. This image was captured with a combination of DSLR and astronomical cameras in LRGB filters. Credit: Gerald Rhemann/Michael Jäger/Dennis MöllerThe comet developed a needlelike anti-tail — a secondary tail that appears to protrude from the comet’s nucleus in the opposite direction of the “normal” tails, as pictured here Oct. 17. An anti-tail is a perspective effect created when dust left behind in the comet’s orbit appears to point toward the Sun. The imager used a CMOS camera and 135 mm lens at f/2.8 to take LRGB exposures totaling 10, 2, 2, and 2 minutes, respectively. Credit: Alessandro Carrozzi
What’s in a Name?
A Perseid meteor streaks behind the dome of Purple Mountain Observatory’s Xuyi Station, the first facility to detect Comet C/2023 A3. Credit: Hao Liu
The name “Tsuchinshan” comes from the historic Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing, China, which first detected the comet. The observatory’s legacy of astronomical discovery continues today, and the name serves as a tribute to its long history in celestial observation.
Additionally, the name also honors the role of the ATLAS network, which independently detected the comet in February 2023. Funded by NASA, ATLAS operates telescopes around the globe to monitor the skies for potential asteroid threats to Earth.
Q: What made Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS so special? A: The comet was bright enough to be seen without a telescope and had a long, stunning tail, making it a rare treat for stargazers. It was also one of the brightest comets in the Northern Hemisphere in over two decades.
Q: When was the best time to see the comet? A: The comet was best visible in the evening sky during its closest approach in October 2024, with peak brightness recorded at magnitude -4.9.
Q: Will Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS return soon? A: No, comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS follow long, unpredictable orbits. This comet won’t return for about 80,000 years.
Conclusion
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was a cosmic event worth remembering. Its bright tail and stunning visuals reminded us of the beauty and unpredictability of our universe. If you missed it, don’t worry—there will be other astronomical wonders in the future! What celestial event are you most excited about next?
