How To Photograph Comet A3 With Your Smartphone And Camera

If you’ve already heard about Comet A3 — a comet that will be the brightest comet in 2024 and one that could become very bright in mid-October — you probably have a question: how best to photograph it? The first photos are in – and they look amazing. However, early eyewitness reports suggest that comet A3 is not yet a visible object, so the best way to see it right now is to take images.

If it survives today perihelion — when it passes within 58.6 million kilometers of the sun — comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan–ATLAS is now visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to observe and photograph comet A3.

Check out my feed every day this week and beyond for a daily “comet tracker” with sky charts and tips for seeing Comet A3.

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When to Photograph Comet A3

Comet A3 will appear close to the horizon, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere, on two separate occasions, but either is good for capturing it above buildings, mountains and trees. Comet A3 will reach the closest to the sun first, and then the closest to Earth. These two events should see him shine brightly.

• September 27: Comet A3 will reach a perihelion — the closest to the sun — about 36 million miles (58 million km). The observation period extends from September 27 to October 4, but is likely to be relatively dim.
• October 12: comet A3 will make its closest approach to Earth at about 44 million miles (71 million km) from Earth. The observing period extends from October 10 until the end of the month, but this is when it is likely to be at its brightest – and possibly extremely bright.

The best tactic is to image it as soon as possible, trying it from September 27 before sunrise and then from October 12 after sunset.

When Will Comet A3 Photograph The Crescent Moon?

As luck would have it, a crescent moon will hang close to Comet A3 this morning, making for some amazing images:

• Monday, September.
• Tuesday, October 1: one hour before sunrise where you are (around 07:00 in the US) when comet A3 will be to the right of the 1.5%-lit crescent moon.

Images should show the delicate light of comet A3 and its tail and the fine crescent moon showing subtle “Earthshine” on its dark arm.

When to Shoot an A3 Comet: What the Benefits Say

“I am looking at times that may appear in the coming weeks in the northern hemisphere; closer to the equator, it may be visible at dawn in late September, but this is very close to sunrise,” writes astrophotographer Ollie Taylor. “A better bet for me, and I believe for most people, is mid-October when the comet will be visible in the western sky after the astronomer for a short time at about 4-8 degrees elevation, depending on the location where you are located.”

A3 Comet Photography Equipment Needed

Unless it’s super bright, you’ll need a lot more than a smartphone for a comet A3. Best results will come from using a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings (so you can control aperture, ISO, shutter speed and focus) and interchangeable lenses.

You’ll need a wide-angle lens for an astro-landscape shot with Comet A3 displayed behind an interesting foreground. You’ll need a zoom lens to capture it closer for a more technical astrophotography image. Many astrophotographers will be using a handheld camera attached to a small telescope.

Whatever you consider, a long exposure will be required, so always use a tripod.

How to Get a Sharp Image of Comet A3

Comet A3 is difficult to focus on since it’s a blurry blob, but unless you get a sharp image, the stars in the background will be blurry, and your image will look amateurish. Here are four ways to do that:

• Use autofocus to point your camera precisely at something far away in daylight, then disable autofocus and don’t touch your lens (or tape it in place to prevent it from moving).
• Aiming at a star. Using the other moon. Using live view on your camera, traverse to the star/moon, focus tightly on it, and then pan back to the comet.
• Use artificial light, aiming at a light source about 30-40 meters away, and using live view – maybe even with auto focus – to get your focus nice and tight. Artificial light sources could be a street light or a light in a house.
• Using infinity, focus on your lens, which may or may not be accurate, depending on your lens. Look for the ∞ symbol on the dial.

Capturing the Comet A3 is all about experimenting with camera settings.

Camera settings for Comet A3

Experimentation involves manual astrophotography. As a general rule, use a higher ISO and a shorter exposure time the more you zoom. It is also important to understand that different locations during dusk will be different from those at night and that exposure will change rapidly as light levels change.

Here are some starting points for catching Comet A3.

• Use an 18-55mm wide angle lens at various focal lengths, with a long exposure for about 10 to 20 seconds and ISO 1600.
• Use a zoom lens at 75mm and about six seconds of exposure times on ISO from 800-3200.
• Use a 300mm zoom lens and a short exposure of 3.2 seconds at ISO 1600

Whatever you use, think about composition; with the comet above, something interesting, such as a building, tree, or whatever works in your landscape. Be creative.

How to Photograph Comet A3 With a Cell Phone

This isn’t easy, and you’ll likely get little more than a brand new image, but with flagship smartphone cameras improving with each iteration, you can still give it a shot. Use a tripod and a manual app to control the ISO and shutter speed and take exposures between 20 and 30 seconds. Focus on a bright star or the moon. Also, try your smartphone’s “night mode” (or similar), which may produce a usable image. Either way, the tripod is vital.

Do you wish for a clear sky and wide eyes.