Archive

Archive for October 22, 2024

Ephemeris: 10/22/2024 – Reviewing last week’s showing of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

October 22, 2024 Comments off

This is Ephemeris for Tuesday, October 22nd. Today the Sun will be up for 10 hours and 37 minutes, setting at 6:45, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:09. The Moon, 2 days before last quarter, will rise at 10:40 this evening.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS continues to head out away from the Sun and the Earth, heading back to the Oort Cloud from whence it came. It’s best showing for us came last week. Unfortunately, it was cloudy the weekend before and the first part of the week when the comet was its brightest. However, by Wednesday evening I was able to spot the comet, but not with the naked eye. I could see it in binoculars and I photographed it. Between the twilight and bright moonlight my poor eyes were not able to spot it. Now that the Moon is leaving the evening sky, and the comet is moving up above the horizon in the west, it should be easily spotted with binoculars towards 9 pm. It has faded significantly and will continue as it speeds away from us.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT – 4 hours). Times will be different for other locations.

Addendum

Wednesday, October 16th

October 16th comet picture

October 17th

October 17th comet picture

Comet track

This chart is from last Wednesday's planetary pos
This chart is from last Wednesday’s planetary post. Tonight’s position for the comet is marked 22 and it’s the second from the top of the posiotions of the comet. Tomorrow’s post will post the next 8 days positions for the comet. The number in parentheses next to the date is an estimated magnitude or brightness magnitude. 3 is fairly dim especially for comets so binoculars will probably be needed to find it.
Categories: Comet, Ephemeris Program, Observing Tags: ,