Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

On October 12, 2024, we took the train to Coney Island to try to capture the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as it appeared in the western sky just after sunset. After nearly half an hour of fruitless skywatching, we were convinced that there was too much light pollution from Manhattan for us to see it from our vantage point.

Suddenly, Beth spotted it through the viewfinder of the camera. Using the camera as a guide, we were, in fact, able to make it out with the naked eye. A family walking along the boardwalk, interested in what we were doing with a tripod out in the middle of the night, approached us and we were able to help their children watch their very first comet.

It was a wonderful cool night, with a clear sky. A perfect time for photography.