C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)
First evening photograph, how to film and where to look East Coast USA
"The Comet I could Not See!"
Well,
this was a tuff one. Had read many of the articles and planned on filming the
first possible evening sighting of the comet Atlas on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia, at Kiptopeake. This was a great advantage because of the very clear
horizon line across the Chesapeake Bay looking west.
The
filming window was short, starting at 7:15 pm Saturday night October 12th,
three of us started peering at was supposed to be the exact location of the
comet about 12 degrees above the horizon at 260 degrees west. This would put it
visually about an inch south of the sunset viewing with the naked eye which
equates to approximately 24mm. I will list the camera gear below and settings,
nothing dramatic at all.
Here
is the rub, the window was only 15 to 20 minutes or so to see Comet A3, that
was it. So naturally in my normal “Fear” of setting up the camera gear
correctly, I went ahead and set focus at 200mm on an abject across the Bay (The
Chamberlin Hotel). I was set up at Kiptopeake, and focousing on a building
across the Bay in Hampton Virginia. I figured this would be the best focus I
could get for the comet considering I may not be able to see the comet to focus
correctly. Good thing I took this step, because I never saw the comet with the
naked eye!
So
7:15 pm came, and went. No comet. Ok, been down this road before, give it a
little more time and we will see if it shows its ARSE. The problem is, there
was little time. The comet was only a hair above the atmosphere visually, so it
was going to be lost pretty quick. As hard as all three of us looked, we never
saw the comet. So what to do?
I
had the camera on the tripod and set the position to 260 west, 12 degreed above
the horizon. Nothing. Next, I cranked the ISO a bit but not to much as to blow
out any details. Took a “blank” exposure meaning there was nothing visual in
the scene except the horizon.
Once
the exposure was complete, hit the review button, zoomed in as far as the preview
monitor could and scanned the image. It really did not take much review because
the comet was dead ahead just where it was supposed to be, but not visible to
the naked eye. Next, zoom the lens in taking a few test exposures to make sure
I was keeping the comet in frame. Once fully at 200mm the comet almost filled
the screen.
Now
I started cranking out the exposures because we only had maybe 10 minutes left
before the comet would vanish below the horizon.
So
the scene with the foreground with the concrete ship worked, everything was
where it was supposed to be, however, had to take a leap of faith at first that
something would be there even if we could not see it. Sorta like life in general,
I guess.
This
night was only after 48 hours of filming the Northern Lights here in Virginia
Beach, something never had seen before. What a weekend!
Camera
was an SL2, Tamron 18 to 200mm shot mostly at 200 / 320 Equivalent. Shutter
ranged from 10 to 15 seconds, Iso 800 to 1600. The comet was not enlarged in
the photo and there was very little post processing. For the most part, that is
what it looked like RAW out of camera. The foreground was shot on the same rig
at 70mm
On
every astro shoot my knowledge base of photography has been expanded. Tonight
was no exception.
The
Comet ATLAS will be easier to see over the next 10 days because it will be rising
higher in the sky each night. I wanted this first shot to be close to the
horizon just after sun set, the colors are amazing. Risky way to shoot, but it
worked this time.
Take
this opportunity to get out and see the comet ATLAS! You will be glad you did.
Look
Up!!
Jim
Baugh
Jim Baugh Outdoors TV
jbotv@outlook.com
(804)240-7577 USA
Comet Atlas / 260 degrees west / 12 degrees above the horizon Oct 12th 7:15pm-7:45
Gear / Cannon SL2, Tamron 18-200 on a tripod, F4, shutter 10 to 15 sec exposures, ISO 800-1600
Filming Location / Eastern Shore of Virginia, Kiptopeake.
