Photographing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): A Comprehensive Guide

Photographing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): A Comprehensive Guide

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Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is poised to be one of the most visually stunning astronomical phenomena of the next few years. Its brilliant tail and possible naked-eye visibility make it a prime target for photographers, even those without a star tracker. While using a tracker will certainly enhance your shots, it’s entirely possible to capture incredible images of the comet without one. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about photographing Comet C/2023 A3 — from timing and location to gear and camera settings.

1. Understanding the Visibility of Comet C/2023 A3

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was discovered in early 2023 and is expected to reach its peak brightness in October 2024. This comet has generated excitement due to its potentially high visibility from both the northern and southern hemispheres.

  • Closest Approach to the Sun (Perihelion): September 28, 2024
  • Closest Approach to Earth: October 13, 2024
  • Peak Visibility (Magnitude): Expected around October 2024, possibly reaching magnitude 0 or brighter (making it visible to the naked eye under dark skies).

Key Visibility Dates:

  • August to September 2024: The comet will be visible in the early morning sky, rising before dawn in the Northern Hemisphere. Its brightness will gradually increase as it nears the Sun.
  • October 2024: During perihelion, the comet will become visible in both the evening and morning skies. This will be the best time for photography as the comet will be at its brightest.

2. Best Locations for Viewing

The best places to photograph Comet C/2023 A3 will depend on its position in the sky, as well as local weather and light pollution conditions. Ideally, you want to head to a dark sky location, far from city lights. Here are some general tips on where to shoot from:

Northern Hemisphere:

  • August to September 2024: Look for the comet in the eastern sky during the early morning hours, rising before dawn. Dark sky locations such as desert areas, mountains, or national parks will be ideal.
  • October 2024: The comet will move into the evening sky after sunset. Look toward the western horizon in locations that offer an unobstructed view of the horizon (such as coastal areas or plains).

Southern Hemisphere:

  • Late October 2024: Comet C/2023 A3 will become visible in the southern sky, and southern hemisphere observers will likely get an equally spectacular show. Locations such as rural Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa will be prime spots for photography.

Light Pollution:

Use apps like Dark Sky Finder or Light Pollution Map to find optimal dark sky locations. Try to aim for locations with Bortle 3 or lower for the best possible view.

3. Photographing the Comet Without a Star Tracker

Star trackers are useful for long exposures, but it’s entirely possible to photograph the comet without one. By keeping your exposure times short, you can minimize star trails and still capture sharp, detailed images of the comet. Here’s how to do it.

Essential Gear:

  • Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls. Full-frame cameras perform best in low-light conditions, but APS-C cameras are also suitable.
  • Lens: A wide-angle lens (14mm to 35mm) for landscape shots or a telephoto lens (70mm to 200mm or longer) for closer views of the comet. Prime lenses with wide apertures (f/1.4 to f/2.8) are ideal for gathering more light.
  • Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential to prevent camera shake during long exposures.
  • Remote Shutter Release or Intervalometer: Use this to avoid camera shake when triggering the shutter.
  • Optional: Headlamp with a red light (to preserve night vision) and extra batteries (cold weather drains batteries faster).

Camera Settings:

  1. Mode: Manual mode is essential for full control over your settings.
  2. Shutter Speed:
    • For wide-angle shots (14-24mm), use the 500 Rule: Divide 500 by your lens’s focal length to determine the maximum shutter speed without causing star trails.
      • Example: With a 14mm lens, 500 ÷ 14 = 35.7 seconds, so you can use up to 30 seconds of exposure.
    • For sharper images with even less trailing, use the 300 Rule: Divide 500 by your lens’s focal length to determine the maximum shutter speed.
      • Example: With a 20mm lens, 300 ÷ 20 = 15 seconds, so you can use up to 15 seconds of exposure.
    • For telephoto lenses (50mm or more), the shutter speed needs to be much shorter (around 5-10 seconds) to avoid star trails.
  3. Aperture: Set the aperture as wide as your lens allows (e.g., f/1.4 to f/2.8) to capture as much light as possible.
  4. ISO: Start with ISO 1600 or 3200. If the comet appears too dim, increase the ISO, but be mindful of noise levels. Full-frame cameras can handle ISO 6400 or higher better than crop sensors.
  5. White Balance: Set to 3800K to 4500K (for a neutral, natural look) or shoot in RAW to adjust white balance later.
  6. Focus: Manually focus on a bright star or distant object. Use live view to zoom in and fine-tune the focus.

Shooting Techniques:

  • Test Shots: Before focusing on the comet, take a few test shots of the stars to ensure your exposure, ISO, and focus are correct.
  • Compose the Scene: Try to include foreground elements like mountains, trees, or even buildings to provide context and scale.
  • Multiple Exposures: You may want to take multiple shorter exposures and stack them in post-processing to reduce noise and enhance detail.

4. Comet Tracking and Position

Comets move quickly across the night sky, so you’ll need to stay updated on the comet’s position each night you plan to shoot. Use apps like Stellarium, SkySafari, or Star Walk 2 to track the exact location of Comet C/2023 A3. Input your location and the date to determine when and where to expect the comet in your local sky.

5. Post-Processing Your Comet Images

Once you’ve captured your images, you’ll likely want to enhance the details of the comet, especially if shooting without a tracker. Here are some post-processing tips:

Stacking:

  • Stacking multiple images of the same scene can help reduce noise and bring out fainter details, especially in the comet’s tail. Software like DeepSkyStacker can handle this task, even without a star tracker, by aligning the stars or the comet across multiple exposures.

Contrast and Clarity:

  • Use Photoshop or Lightroom to adjust contrast and clarity, bringing out more detail in the tail and the comet’s coma.
  • Increase shadows or highlights to balance out the dynamic range, especially if your image includes foreground elements.

Color Correction:

  • Comets often have a greenish hue due to ionized gases. Adjust the color balance to enhance this natural color or correct it depending on your preferences.

Noise Reduction:

  • High ISO settings can introduce noise, especially in darker areas of the image. Use noise reduction tools carefully to smooth the sky without losing important detail in the comet.

6. Conclusion

Photographing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) without a star tracker is entirely achievable with the right approach. By following the tips in this guide — including planning your location and timing, setting up your camera correctly, and applying effective post-processing techniques — you’ll be able to capture stunning images of this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.

As the comet approaches, continue to monitor updates on its visibility and trajectory and if you shoot this for yourself, I’d love to hear about it – Leave a comment below, or find me on Instagram @marcrasselphoto and show me the images you’ve created!

Picture of Marc Rassel

Marc Rassel

I am a landscape astrophotographer based in Central Minnesota, USA. Recently selected for the Milky Way Photographer of the Year – 7th Edition (2024), I’m a photographer who focuses on the night sky and the wild landscapes that sit beneath it. Whether it’s an aurora storm over the Arctic, the Milky Way stretched across desert rock, a moonlit ridge line in the mountains, or the fleeting drama of a total solar eclipse, I’m drawn to moments where natural light and land meet in powerful, often unpredictable ways. Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively in pursuit of these scenes—always aiming to capture what’s real, not just what looks good online. My goal is to create images that are clean, high-resolution, and grounded in the actual experience of being there. I come from a background in photography and printmaking, and I approach every image with attention to both field technique and final presentation. I avoid the artificial look that dominates much of today’s digital work and prioritize clarity, subtlety, and accuracy. I’m more interested in results than hype, and I share what I learn so others can build on it instead of starting from scratch. My work has been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, The Weather Channel, EarthSky, DailyMail, DP Review, and more. I’ve also led photography workshops in a wide range of environments—from remote deserts to icy mountain passes — helping photographers refine their skills in real-world conditions. Ultimately, I’m not interested in turning nature into spectacle. I want to photograph these places as they are—still, quiet, wild—and create images that hold up over time.

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