COMETARY ACTIVITY MISSIONS

MISSION A3

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) will reach perihelion on September 27, 2024 and make it’s close approach to the Earth on October 13, 2024. Around this time, the comet is expected to be seen easily by the naked eye. Observing this comet now will help to determine just how bright the comet will be at its maximum.

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for B. The target is NOT in the Unistellar app’s database. In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:

Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db

The target is also available on the Comets Ephemeris webpage.

Take at least 2 observation.

MISSION T4

Comet C/2021 T4 (Lemmon) will reach perihelion on July 31, 2023 and make its close approach to the Earth on July 21, 2023. This comet will be one of the brightest this summer, and monitoring it will allow us to predict just how bright it will be. 

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for B. The target is NOT in the Unistellar app’s database. In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:

Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db

The target is also available on the Comets Ephemeris webpage.

Take at least 2 observation.

MISSION E3

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) reached perihelion January 2023. It made its close approach to the Earth on February 1, 2023. The Comet was visible to the naked eye in dark skies at that time! By continuing to observe this comet until it likely leaves our solar system, we can better understand the activity of comets like this one. 

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for A. The target is in the Unistellar app’s database. In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:

Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db

Take at least 1 observation.

MISSION K2

Comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRs) made its close approach to the Sun in December 2022. It is now receding from the Sun. By observing this comet over a long period, you will help to understand its evolution. 

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for A. The target is in the Unistellar app’s database.
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:

Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db

Take at least 1 observation.

MISSION 29P

Currently Faint – Monitor Occasionally

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 is a centaur/comet transition object. 29P has experienced many outbursts in its lifetime. By observing this object, we may be able to catch an outbursting event and better understand the mechanisms that cause these sudden increases in brightness. The comet is currently faint, even in recent outbursts, but it is important to monitor occasionally in case the comet undergoes a bright outburst!

Latest Outburst: May 7, 2023

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for A. The target is in the Unistellar app’s database.
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:

Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db

Take at least 1 observation.