Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is dazzling sky-watchers across the northern hemisphere in the evening sky. After a streak of cloudy nights, I finally had the chance to witness this celestial spectacle firsthand. Shortly after sunset, I spotted the comet with my telescope, low on the western horizon. As the sun sank further, the comet became increasingly visible—eventually clear enough to be seen with the naked eye, boasting a brilliant 15-degree tail!
One fascinating detail is the comet’s anti-tail, faintly visible on the opposite side of the main tail. This phenomenon is an optical effect, creating the illusion of a spike-like tail pointing directly toward the sun.
I also took another glimpse of the comet with my telescope at the Castle of Clouds -observatory, ten days after seeing it with my own eyes low on the horizon the anti-tail had disappeared but the comet was now above the treeline for a nice closeup of the bright coma.
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