Comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS over California

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over California

Credit & Copyright:
Brian Fulda

Explanation:
The tails of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS were a sight to behold.

Pictured, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) was captured near peak impressiveness last week over the
Eastern Sierra Mountains in
California,
USA.

The comet not only showed a
bright tail, but a distinct
anti-tail pointing in nearly the opposite direction.

The globular star cluster
M5 can be seen on the right, far in the distance.

As it approached, it was unclear if this
crumbling iceberg would
disintegrate completely
as it warmed in the bright sunlight.

In reality, the comet survived to become brighter than
any star in the night (magnitude -4.9), but unfortunately was then so
nearly in front of the Sun that it was hard for many
casual observers to locate.

Whether
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas becomes known as the
Great Comet of 2024 now depends,
in part, on how impressive
incoming comet
C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) becomes over the next two weeks.