Photography

[KingOfPain]

C/2023 P1 Nishimura

Bright (Naked-eye) comets are rare — the kind that can excite those of us without binoculars or telescopes — appear on average perhaps two or three times every 15 to 20 years. The last such comet to do that was comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) in July 2020.
I will share a couple of photos of Neowise at a later time.

Comet C/2023 P1 Nishimura (discovered  in 2023 by Nishimura) More in-depth information here
Magnitude is the rating of Brightness, the lower the number the brighter - For example: The Sun=-27, Full Moon=-13, International Space Station=0-3.9, Polaris=2, Andromeda=3.4
September 5: C/2023 P1 (mag 5.6, elongation 27.7°) enters the constellation Leo.
September 6: C/2023 P1 (mag 5.3, elongation 26.3°) passes 0°6' away from the star Ras Elased Australis (mag 2.95) in the constellation Leo.
September 9: C/2023 P1 (mag 4.4, elongation 21.2°) passes 0°33' away from the star Adhafera (mag 3.4) in the constellation Leo. Approximately the same Brightness as Venus



The 7th is busted, it showed clear skies couple of days ago. Hoping things don't change for the 8th and 9th.


Note that light spillage is noticeable by 4am, and the sky might get some color by 6am. Depending on how bright the comet is in comparison to local conditions, this might not be a bad thing. If it is bright enough to have good contrast against the morning sky it would make for a good photo. In other words, in spite of all the predictions and preparations, you never know.



Although events near the horizon can be spoiled by light pollution, having astronomical events near the horizon is a good thing. It allows the inclusion of foreground landscape and interesting objects (man made or otherwise), to give the scene context, relevant to an event. You won't see me taking a closeup shot of the moon whether it be a super blue or whatever moon because the moon by itself could have been taken any time, from any place, even a hundred years ago. You can't even claim copy right to it because there are 100 billion same shots. If it happens high up in the sky, I am not interested. No context. NASA has better pictures.

I am not having high hopes on this one so I am staying local. Less prep and more sleep...


Comet of a decade' to whiz past Earth in likely first visit in 4.5 billion years
C/2023 A3 could be among the brightest in a decade when it visits next year. The comet is making its first visit since our inner solar system was created 4.5 billion years ago.

This is the one I am most looking forward to. I will travel for this one.
In early 2023, the ATLAS survey and Purple Mountain Observatory detected a comet that was named C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). It is expected to reach naked-eye visibility by October 2024 and become as bright as the most luminous stars! Here is everything that is known about this comet so far.
Contents. LINK




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[T-hawk]

Also in astronomical events next year, there's the total eclipse. You ever do any eclipse photography, such as the last one in 2017 that hit the west coast near you? 2024 eclipse is farther, the south and east of the US.

[KingOfPain]

A total solar eclipse is a truly awe-inspiring experience. It’s an unforgettable super natural experience that many people describe as life-changing. It should be in every bucket list. Perhaps make a vacation out of it. I would say the same for experiencing the Aurora Borealis up North where the aurora happens directly overhead and stretches to the horizon like many luminescent curtains waving with changing lights. I could swear I can hear the wind snapping as the curtains waved.

A snip form What Is It Like to Experience a Total Solar Eclipse?

The seconds: Eclipse totality is magical — it’s simply an exquisite experience! It happens in a split second, so watch!! Watch with your eyes, your brain, your heart, your whole being. It’s like seeing a window into another dimension — the blackness of the Moon encircled by the corona’s beautiful gossamer plumes or “wings” of opalescent light. And it’s all set within the rest of the sky in whatever state you find it, sometimes showing planets near the Sun. The light around the horizon always takes on a lovely, soft yellow-orange color. Occasionally, a nearby cloud will show iridescence. The experience somehow adds a new layer to your being, like you’re connected to the whole world, the cosmos, the intricacies of astrophysics! I feel a palpable shift in myself as I’m watching, trying to make a mental record, a composite of what I’m really seeing and experiencing. It takes my breath away to see second contact blossom and quickly melt into chromosphere, prominence, and corona. One first-time viewer beside me fell to her knees when she took off her eclipse glasses and looked up. That first view of totality is mind blowing, awesome, beautiful, delicate, fantastic, and powerful — all at once! It changes us, somehow, to think of connectivity with the solar system and the universe. It’s amazing that we can travel specifically to see this little bit of magic in the vast sky around us.

This is a 360° event, sunset/sunrise every direction you look. And, if you are out in the wild, listen.

Pondered how special a time we live in to be able to see the diamond ring effect, how the moon covers just enough (but not too much) of the sun for us the see the corona during totality.  A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the face of the Sun. It is the result of a cosmic coincidence. Even though the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away. This makes the Sun and the Moon appear almost exactly the same size in our sky. The moon is constantly moving away from earth. 600 million years  ago the moon would have blocked out the sun completely, and  600 million years in the future the moon won't be covering the sun completely - Not to mention the alignment on the orbital plane. This is quite a freak accident in the entire universe.

The solar eclipse 2017 was only partial where I live, maybe 14 hours from totality. The sun was high up in the sky where I cannot get a suitable foreground if I was out in the open.

I have my second camera set to telephoto for this closeup shot. Like I said, not much to look at, other than the couple of sunspots on the lower quarter.


My main camera was framed around this landmark. Nothing else high enough in town that has any meaning or has a clear view down the street. The tallest building in town is only 5 story high


However, I managed to grab an unique photo of an eclipse. Generally, we avoid pointing the camera at the sun at an angle that would produce lens flares. This time I noticed something wonderful and worked to get as much lens flares as I can. The lens flares took on the shape of the eclipse - Wonderfully Showing a solar eclipse without showing the sun.



PS: When planning to visit a total solar eclipse, especially in popular spots, book your lodging years ahead if you can. The popular places are usually book solid a year ahead.



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[Mjmd]

I'm planning on taking family to April 2024 eclipse. Have family in Ohio. Thanks for hotel tip..... Although I was already debating about ye olde sleeping bag in living room method.

[KingOfPain]

That's cool, you are going to see Jupiter and Venus in the middle of the afternoon
Pack a picnic lunch





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[RefSteel]

So how was the weather over the weekend? Did the shoot go as planned?

[KingOfPain]

So how was the weather over the weekend?  Did the shoot go as planned?

Busted

Going to try again this weekend. Suppose to be closest to Earth and brightest, however, also closest to the sun. That means a very small window after the sun sets before it disappear in the horizon too. Looking West this time. Partly cloudy...

Just need to find a nice view point looking West. Nothing in town, So I am digging through my scouting photos. This is an example of what I do when scouting for possibilities.



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[RefSteel]

Awww ... cool planning shot examples though - good luck with the dusk comet shots this weekend!

[KingOfPain]

Comets

I failed to locate Comet Nishimura after 4 tries.

Looking forward to C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in Sept-Oct. 2024. Chances are it will get as bright as the International Space Station to as bright as Venus - 1 to -4.0 magnitude. Yeah promises promises...

I would probably travel hundreds of miles for this.

What makes C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) special?
First of all, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is expected to grow a beautiful cometary tail; fainter comets usually don’t have prominent tails at all. After passing by the Sun at a distance similar to Mercury's orbit, C/2023 A3's coma of dust and ice will heat up considerably. As the ice particles evaporate, they will quickly escape into space, taking with them a large amount of dust that will extend into a long, bright tail. As history shows, comets that pass close to the Sun have the most impressive tails, formed soon after being "roasted" by the Sun's heat. And this is the case with comet C/2023 A3!

Autumn - usually partly/cloudy sky
In comparison, Halley's Comet in 1986 was 2 magnitude. Next approach 2061.
I was a chef back then and I have invented this dessert called Baileys Comet to celebrate the once in a lifetime event. It is a deep fried ice cream ball with hazelnuts and Baileys in the center, and served with a shot of Baileys on top. The novelty of deep fried ice cream, the name/event, and alcohol made this the best selling dessert of the year.

The only comet I have captured in photo is Comet Neowise in 2020. It was 1-4 mag and visible at dusk. I was able to photograph it from many locations in the region. I will share 3 of these. Same comet, 3 different feels. It is all about the foreground.

Osoyoos, BC., Canada


These 2 below are hot sellers with many buyers collecting both as a set.

NkMip Reflections
Oliver, BC. around 12am
You can see the reflections of the comet near the bottom edge




This one is called Super Natural
100 meters from the one above, half an hour later





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[RefSteel]

Sorry to hear you missed Nishimura - I hope the search/adventure was enjoyable nonetheless! Great shots of Neowise though - Was NkMip Reflections another multi-photo composition like Mt. Robson?

(And: Good luck with C/2023 A3 next year!)