
COMET TSUCHINSHAN
Added on 09 October 2024
update and information for seeing and photographing it.
As you know, Wednesday the 16th of October is the evening of the Comet party at Culloden and that date remains as described, regardless of the conditions, just in case the window in the West opens even for a moment and lets us see Tsuchinshan at its highest and brightest.
However, like pinning a tail on the donkey, this is risky and we don't want to miss any opportunity. The Comet, as of this moment (9th Oct) is right behind the Sun and swiftly moving East every day. By Sunday the 13th it will be setting with the Sun and very low in the Western horizon and it might be possible to see it. Don't hold your breath for Sunday though, it will be really difficult to see in the strong glare from the setting Sun. From there onward though, it will get higher every night and set later, which will place it against a dark sky background. On Tuesday the 15th there will be a remarkable photo opportunity when, at 1930hrs, the Comet will be right next to the globular star cluster M5. Thereafter, it will get higher and further East each evening but will start to fade somewhat from then.
So the plan is this: -
We hold the Comet party on Wednesday but any time prior and beyond Wednesday, we will use any opportunity that the weather allows and rush up to Culloden at short notice. There will be alerts on WhatsApp, Facebook and maybe the Website (time allowing to get something posted) so keep an eye on the media platforms and just watch the weather for yourself to judge when the time is right. If it's clear to the West any of the nights from the 13th then you can be confident that there will be people at the Observatory at Culloden to help you find and photograph it.
Just a couple of things to consider.
One:
If you are searching for it on Sunday, and let's say using binoculars or some optical aid to find it, wait until the Sun has set before sweeping the sky; the Sun can blind you if you inadvertantly catch it in your field of view.
Two:
keep your expectation low, it might be easily seen with the naked eye but equally it might not so you may have to use binoculars to locate it first. Once you know where it is it will be a lot easier to find again.
Ok, that's it. All we need now is the weather to oblige and so fingers crossed for a good outcome. Any questions you have, share them on Nebulous News WhatsApp.
Terry, our magic cat is already working on keeping the clouds away.
Dave