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As we await Comet C\/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS reaching its peak observing period this weekend, we’ve received so many amazing images of the celestial visitor from those who’ve been dedicated enough to head out and capture it.<\/p>
We’ve seen an image of C\/2023 A3 over the Pyramids of Giza<\/a>, an image of the comet captured by astronauts on the Space Station<\/a> and even a Comet A3 as seen by NASA’s SOHO telescope<\/a>.<\/p> This wonderful image of Comet C\/2023 A3 was captured by Gergely T\u00f3th on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, 1 October 2024 at 06:00 UTC.<\/p> It shows Comet C\/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS<\/a> sharing a beautiful sunrise sky with the crescent Moon, the famous Mount Teide volcano and rippling clouds.<\/p> Click on the image below to expand the frame for a closer look.<\/p> Find out how to photograph Comet C\/2023 A3<\/a>, how to observe Comet A3 in October<\/a> and read our beginner’s guide to Comet A3<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> “At the centre of the image, a breathtaking celestial phenomenon can be seen: the C\/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) comet, trailing its bright tail across the dawn sky,” says T\u00f3th.<\/p> “To the right of the comet rises the silhouette of the Teide volcano, while to the left, the Moon, only 2% illuminated, emerges above the horizon. The comet, the Moon and the volcano appear as a\u00a0triumvirate, a unique natural alliance in the sky.”<\/p> The island of La Palma is something of a stargazing mecca, given its incredibly dark skies and lack of light pollution.<\/p> It’s also home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory<\/a>, one of the largest telescope arrays in the world and home to the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.<\/p> As you might expect, achieving such a photographic feat on one of the most famous astronomical islands in the world wasn’t a chance encounter, and nor was it easy!<\/p> “I spent a week on La Palma for astrophotography, aiming to capture this comet before sunrise,” says T\u00f3th.<\/p> “It was quite a challenge to wake up at 4:30am every day and drive up to Caldera de Taburiente along its endlessly winding roads, with the icy wind howling around me.<\/p> “But in the end, I believe it was all worth it.”<\/p> We agree.<\/p> For more of Gergely T\u00f3th’s images, visit his AstroBin page<\/a> and his Instagram handle @gergo7oth<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> See more images of Comet C\/2023 A3<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>Image stats<\/strong><\/h2>