With stormy weather on the way, time is almost up to see one of the brightest comets in a century.
But while the skies are clear, if you look to the west after sunset, you may still get your chance, and all you need is a smartphone.
The most important part is to find a dark spot with a clear view of the western horizon. Use your favourite smartphone stargazing app to find the comet in the Serpens constellation, where it is located, then take a time-exposure photo up to three seconds. Use a tripod or hold the phone as steady as you can for best results.
You should be able to see the comet with your phone, even if you can’t see it with the naked eye. The comet will fade from visibility after October 20.
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) was first spotted by the Purple Mountain Observatory in China last year in January. The ATLAS array in South Africa observed it in February, 2023. Since then astronomers have been tracking it as it increased in brightness, reaching its peak on October 9 when it appeared brighter than Venus while it passed the sun.
It’s now on its way back to the outer reaches of the solar system, but can still be spotted by amateur stargazers for a few more days.
If you are looking for a stargazing app, StarWalk, Sky Tonight, and GoSkyWatch are all capable of helping you locate and track the comet.
