The dash not to miss once-in-a-lifetime comet snap

A rare comet named Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has been making headlines as it passes by Earth, an event that only happens once every 80,000 years. This has sparked excitement among photographers and astronomy enthusiasts alike. One such photographer, Jono Kimber from Ellesmere in Shropshire, faced a unique challenge in capturing this celestial event. He had to balance his family commitments, particularly taking his son to Scouts, with the opportunity to photograph the comet. Jono was well aware of the historical significance of this comet, as it last visited our planet when Neanderthals roamed the Earth. With the comet's brief appearance, he felt the pressure to act quickly. The previous three nights had been ruined by bad weather, so he was determined to make the most of the clear skies on Thursday. After dropping off his son, he drove around looking for the perfect spot to set up his camera. He eventually found a location near a main road, which put him approximately 44 million miles away from the comet, according to NASA calculations. Jono chose this spot because he had seen other photographers use open landscapes to create stunning images that convey a sense of space and vastness. On the same night, other photographers were capturing the beautiful Hunter's Moon, but Jono found the moonlight to be a challenge, as it created a haze that obscured his view of the comet. Despite the difficulties, he managed to take ten long exposure photos before he had to leave to pick up his daughter. Jono was pleased with his results, which also included images of Elon Musk's Starlink satellites moving across the night sky. Another photographer, Julian Cartwright from Clee Hill, also seized the opportunity to photograph the comet. Although his main focus is wildlife and landscape photography, the rarity of the comet was too tempting to ignore. Julian decided to take a walk with his wife and set up his camera in the direction of Ludlow. He was fortunate to capture the comet just before clouds rolled in and obscured it from view. Julian expressed his excitement about the comet, noting that it was a highlight of the year, especially after having enjoyed the aurora earlier. The comet's appearance has brought together photographers and sky watchers, all eager to share their experiences and images. Even a 12-year-old girl named Rosa managed to snap a picture of the comet from the window of a passenger jet, showcasing the widespread enthusiasm for this celestial event. The excitement surrounding Tsuchinshan-ATLAS serves as a reminder of the wonders of the universe and the joy of capturing fleeting moments in time.