Here’s How to See That Comet in Louisiana – Where & When to Look
Attention chiropractors and massage therapists in places like Lafayette, Alexandria, Ruston, and Monroe. Thanks to Mother Nature you might have a few more patients over the next few days. Many Louisiana residents may have craned their necks last week looking up to see the Northern Lights but now there's something new in the heavens that Earthlings haven't seen in over 80,000 years.
Scientists and astronomers call it Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). That is the official name of "that comet" that many of you have been wondering about. You've probably seen pictures of it on your social media feeds.
It's quite an impressive sight and many of you will be able to see the comet over the next couple of weeks. Astronomers with NASA suggest the best time for viewing the comet will be from today, October 14, 2024, through October 24, 2024. But you're going to need to know when and where to look.
Thankfully the forecast for most of Louisiana and the Gulf South Region calls for clear skies during this period of time and that should make for some great comet-watching. According to NASA, you'll want to look low in the western sky following sunset.
The setting sun should illuminate the comet's tail and allow Louisiana observers to view the spectacle with the naked eye. Although, for a better glimpse you'll probably want a small telescope or some binoculars.
The comet is believed to be some two miles in diameter and its tail of dust and gasses extends behind the comet itself for tens of millions of miles in space. The object is believed to be very old but was just discovered by modern astronomers in 2023.
Again for the best viewing options, you'll want to look low in the western sky in the minutes and hours after sunset. Make sure you can see the horizon, perhaps gazing out over some of the crawfish ponds or pasture lands would give you the best opportunity.
And if you're going to attempt to snap a picture with your phone, make sure you open the exposure and utilize your camera's night photo features. I would also suggest you use a tripod to hold the camera steady for the best images.
If you get some great pictures we'd love to see them. Feel free to share them with us via our station app.
And if you're going to be comet hunting later this week make sure you have some warm clothes for observing after Wednesday.
A cold front will push through the area on Tuesday and that will keep the daytime highs on Wednesday in the low to mid 70s with overnight low temperatures falling into the 40s or cooler depending on where you happen to be.
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