Comet C/2023 AS (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) Oct. 3 2024 Punta Balandra RD

I had a clear ocean horizon, the Atlantic, from here at Punta Balandra and preprogrammed the RST-135 for accurate goto using stars and polaris. Then I entered the RA and DEC for the comet and did a GOTO. The scope pointed a bit below the horizon. Then I waited and watched as the comet came up out of the ocean but several clouds spoiled that picture opportunity which was fantastic (should have started a video as the tail gradually appeared followed by the body!). Several minutes later I was able to get this picture dodging the clouds. Climate here was warm at 80degrees F but very humid as the villa is perched on a rock right next to the beach.

TV60 refractor with Baader 36mm eyepiece mounted on RST-135 Rainbow Astro harmonic drive powered via 4 Li-Ion cells in series for 16vdc all on lightweight english military tripod. Camera was a Samsung N9600 android celfon supported by a Celestron NexYZ holder.

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