Stargazing photographers capture 'comet of the century'

On the night of October 12th, a remarkable event took place in the skies above the UK as people gathered to witness what has been dubbed the 'comet of the century. ' This extraordinary celestial body, known as Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), made its long-awaited appearance, captivating stargazers and photographers alike. Martin A. B. Cohen, an enthusiastic observer, captured a stunning image of the comet from Warsash beach in Hampshire at precisely 19:30 BST. In his photograph, the comet can be seen streaking across the twilight blue sky, with several large ships visible in the foreground, creating a picturesque scene. The excitement surrounding this comet is palpable, as it has not been seen from Earth for approximately 80,000 years, a time when Neanderthals roamed the planet. The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) had previously informed the public that the comet would be visible, leading many eager stargazers to prepare their cameras and telescopes for the occasion. Most of the images shared by observers depict the comet as a bright streak of light, reminiscent of a torch illuminating the horizon. Some photographs even resemble the trails left by airplanes soaring through the night sky. Arash Sefidgaran, one of the many excited observers, expressed his joy, stating, 'Finally after weeks of waiting for the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet to be visible at higher latitudes like London, I managed to view and capture this stunning sight today, 12 October. ' His description of the scene included a beautiful blue sky with a yellow haze beneath it, where the comet's bright light could be seen. Another observer, Meryl Goulbourne, shared her experience of capturing the comet from the top of Butser Hill, near Clanfield, Hampshire, at 19:35. Her photograph showcases a long-distance view of a dark night sky, with a brilliant light streaking away from her camera. Martin, who also took a picture of the comet, remarked on the fleeting nature of the event, saying, 'It was a very narrow window of time between it being dark enough to see the comet and it disappearing below the horizon! ' The excitement surrounding the comet was further fueled by predictions from NASA, which indicated that the comet would come within approximately 70 million kilometers (44 million miles) of Earth on that Saturday night. The RAS added that the comet would be visible in the northern hemisphere from that night until October 30, allowing more people to experience this celestial wonder. The comet had already been photographed in various locations, including Spain, Italy, Uruguay, and Indonesia, from late September to early October when it was visible in the southern hemisphere. In South Carolina, USA, observers were treated to a view of the comet shortly after sunset on Saturday, as it illuminated the western sky over the Lake Murray Dam Hydroelectric Intake Towers near Columbia. The RAS explained that the comet's impressive brightness and visibility have led to its designation as the 'comet of the century. ' Dr. Robert Massey, a representative from the RAS, encouraged enthusiasts to venture outside 'immediately after sunset' with binoculars, seek higher ground, and look westward towards the horizon for the best chance to see the comet. He also advised avoiding areas with obstructed views of the sky and suggested bringing a hot drink to enjoy while stargazing. Dr. Massey mentioned that a DSLR camera could effectively capture images of the comet, but he also recommended a creative method for those with mobile phones: holding the phone camera up against the eyepiece of a small telescope to snap pictures of this extraordinary space event. The excitement of witnessing this comet has united people across the globe, as they share their photos and experiences of this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical occurrence.