Chasing comet: A personal experience

Chasing Cosmic Wonders: My Experience Capturing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Kovalam Beach, Chennai

There’s something undeniably humbling about standing beneath the vast night sky, a canvas filled with twinkling stars, knowing that there are millions of celestial wonders floating in the farthest reaches of the universe. That feeling hit me even harder when I set out to capture Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, from Kovalam Beach along Chennai’s ECR.

How the journey started?

I had been tracking the comet’s path and brightness magnitude for some time, eagerly awaiting the perfect opportunity to capture it. After a weekend camping trip, I returned to Chennai on the night of September 29th, around 8 PM, feeling both tired and excited. Despite the fatigue, I knew I couldn’t miss this chance. After a quick dinner, I went to bed early, setting my alarm for 4 AM.

To my surprise, I woke up just before my alarm at 3:45 AM. It felt like the universe itself was nudging me awake, ready for the adventure. I grabbed my already packed equipment, got into the car, and made my way to Kovalam Beach, reaching there around 4:20 AM.

An Unexpected Audience

As I arrived, my fishermen friends, who were already there, greeted me with curiosity. They were surprised to see me this early and asked what I was planning to capture. I eagerly told them about the comet, and their interest piqued immediately—they were just as excited to witness this rare celestial event as I was.

I set up my tripod and camera, carefully preparing everything in anticipation of the comet’s rise above the horizon. According to my calculations, it was expected to become visible around 4:39 AM. But as the minutes ticked by, the horizon was still obscured by clouds, and by 4:45 AM, I began to worry that I wouldn’t be able to spot it in time.

The First Sighting

Just as I was beginning to lose hope, one of my fishermen friends spotted a faint tail at around 4:50 AM. His excitement was contagious, and I immediately adjusted the camera’s focal length to zoom in on the distant object. By 4:56 AM, the comet came into clear view, and what a sight it was! I could finally see it clearly with the naked eye—one of the most beautiful celestials wonders I’ve ever observed in person.

There’s something surreal about witnessing such a rare event without any equipment. Just standing there, looking at the sky and seeing this cosmic traveler felt like a gift from the universe. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how small we are in the grand scheme of things, yet how connected we can feel to the cosmos.

The First Sight - 20240930:0456

I captured as many photos as I could, adjusting my settings to ensure the best possible shot. By 5:20 AM, as daylight approached, the comet began to fade from view, and my observation session came to a close. I packed up and headed home, but the memory of what I had just witnessed lingered.

Tsuchinsan-ATLAS - 20240930:0500

The Aftermath and Planning for the Next Observation

After reaching home, instead of resting, I immediately transferred the captured images to my laptop and began the post-processing work. I was thrilled with the output—it exceeded my expectations, and I felt a wave of euphoria wash over me. I eagerly shared the photos on my social media accounts, happy to spread the joy of witnessing such a rare event.

Though I was tempted to go back the next morning (October 1), I knew my body needed rest. But I didn’t waste time. I spent the day researching the comet’s brightness magnitude, rising times, and checking Chennai’s weather forecast. I realized that October 2 would likely be my best chance to capture the comet again. With the forecast predicting cloudy weather until October 7 and the comet’s brightness increasing to a magnitude of 2.3 (making it even more visible to the naked eye), I knew I had to seize the opportunity before it became too faint due to daylight. By October 7, the comet would rise along with the sun, making it nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye.

Determined not to miss this moment, I sent out an invite to friends and my apartment community, inviting them to join me for a comet-watching session on October 2 at 4:30 AM. I included a note explaining that this might be the last chance to see the comet clearly with the naked eye before it becomes a target only for telescopes.

The October 2nd Observation - Sharing the Wonder

The next morning, I arrived at Kovalam Beach again, thrilled to see that three families had joined me, excited to witness the comet. The rising time was around 4:46 AM, but just like before, clouds hovered low on the horizon, obscuring our view. However, around 5:00 AM, we finally got our first glimpse of the comet. Though the view wasn’t as sharp as it had been on September 30, it was still awe-inspiring.

As people marveled at the sight, I took the opportunity to explain the importance of this celestial event. I shared some background on Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS—how it had been traveling for millions of years, originating from the distant Oort Cloud at the edge of our solar system. I told them how comets like this carry ancient materials that formed the solar system and that observing them offers us a rare window into the early days of our cosmic neighborhood.

Tsuchinsan-ATLAS - 20241002:0505

I also explained how the comet’s brightness magnitude was steadily increasing, and that by October 9-12, it would be at its brightest. However, after October 7, it would rise along with the sun, making it impossible to view without sophisticated equipment. This added to the sense of urgency—everyone felt lucky to witness this event before the opportunity slipped away.

To enhance the experience, I showed them sharp and clear images of the comet taken with my zoom lens camera and allowed them to have a live view of the comet through my binoculars.

Their excitement was contagious—it felt like we were all sharing in something truly magical. Seeing the awe and wonder in their eyes as they gazed at the comet for the first time reminded me why I love astrophotography so much. It's not just about capturing the moment, but about sharing that wonder with others.

By 5:20 AM, as the daylight brightened, we wrapped up the session and headed back, filled with the joy of having shared this rare cosmic moment together.

Attempting Extended Observations

Although I had made detailed observations about the weather conditions and knew that clouds would likely obscure the view after October 7, something in my heart told me to keep trying. I didn’t want to travel far with the looming cloudy forecast, but I didn’t want to miss out on more sightings either. So, I made a special request to my apartment association, asking if I could use the terrace for a week to try my luck in spotting the comet.

Thankfully, they knew about my astro-quests and allowed me full access to the terrace, which is on the 13th floor with an open view of the sea—a perfect location for sky-watching. However, I don’t like the series of lights along the shoreline which is a serious obstruction in observing celestial wonders that are visible close to the horizon.

From October 3 to October 5, I went up to the terrace at 4:45 AM and stayed until 5:30 AM. Unfortunately, as expected, the Eastern sky was consistently cloudy, making it impossible to spot the comet. Despite the disappointment, I still had a meaningful experience each day. The Orion constellation stood out clearly on all three days, and observing its beauty was a consolation prize of sorts.

Cloudy Eastern Horizon on October 3-4-5 (Top-to-Bottom).

On the morning of October 5, something special happened. At around 5 AM, using my binoculars, I managed to observe the Orion Nebula, a stunning sight that never fails to captivate me. The nebula’s soft, glowing clouds of gas and dust are where stars are born and watching it through the binoculars reminded me of the boundless wonders of the night sky.

I quickly set up my telescope and captured several stacked images of the Orion Nebula. While I wasn’t able to see Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, I was still deeply satisfied by the sight of the nebula and the chance to spend time under the stars, doing what I love most—exploring the cosmos.

Orion Nebula - 20241005:0515

Some Closing Thoughts

This entire experience—chasing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and sharing that journey with friends and fellow sky-watchers—was more than just an astrophotography mission for me. It was a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the universe and how lucky we are to witness even the smallest fraction of it. Observing the comet, the Orion constellation, and the Orion Nebula alongside friends, new and old, was a special experience that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

The universe is full of moments like these—some we manage to capture, while others slip away due to clouds or daylight. But it’s the pursuit, the chase, and the shared wonder that make it all worthwhile.

As I continue to track the comet’s journey and other celestial wonders, I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to share these moments with others. Whether through my lens or through a pair of binoculars, the joy of seeing the universe unfold before our eyes is something that can never be taken for granted.

Until next time, keep looking up—there’s always something incredible waiting for you in the night sky.