C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

Conditions last night were finally reasonable for a realistic attempt to get C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS).

The Maples are spectacular right now. When I arrived, it was cold and very windy. There were scattered clouds in the west, and eventually it cleared, but there was still high thin stuff passing by for the duration of the evening

Fall Colours
Fall Colours

The moon was full, and it started rising as the sun was setting. It was casting long shadows, and illuminated the foreground in the wide field images.

 

Rising Moon, 99.9% Full
Rising Moon, 99.9% Full

As the night progressed, the wind died down, and the temperature dropped to 3°C

 

The comet was visible naked eye, and was very impressive in binoculars. The tail is huge, the anti-tail was also visible in the images.

Below is a time lapse tracking the comet as it disappears into the murk over the horizon.

Weather conditions should be better tonight…