Missions

Find up-to-the-minute visibilities and deeplinks for comet targets on the Comet Ephemeris page.

MISSION A3

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) will reach perihelion on September 27, 2024 and will make its close approach to the Earth on October 12, 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 tutorial for A. The comet is in the catalog.
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:
Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db
Make at least 2 recordings.

MISSION G3

Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) will reach perihelion on January 13, 2025 and will make its close approach to the Earth on January 14, 2025. This is an interesting comet because it is expected to brighten very quickly around perihelion to naked-eye level magnitudes. Also, comet C/2024 G3 will get rather close to the Sun during perihelion, at a distance of 0.09 AU, so there is a fear that this comet may not survive its perihelion passage! This comet is visible in the Southern Hemisphere. 
To observe your target:
Follow the tutorial for B. The comet is NOT in the App Catalog. 
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:
Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db
Make at least 2 recordings.

MISSION 12P

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a Halley-type comet, and only reaches perihelion once every 71 years. It reached perihelion on April 21, 2024 and was bright enough to be seen by the naked eye in dark skies. The solar eclipse on April 8 was highly anticipated, because 12P was nearby! However, the sky did not get quite dark enough to see the comet during totality. 12P has experienced many outbursts since its first large outburst in June 2023. It is important to monitor this comet’s interesting activity for more outbursts!
To observe your target:
Follow the tutorial for A. The comet is in the catalog.
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:
Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db
Make at least 2 recordings.

MISSION 29P

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.

To observe your target:
Follow the tutorial for A. The comet is in the catalog.
In the Recording field be sure the following information is entered:
Record duration : 20min
Exposure time : 3971ms
Gain : 25db
Make at least 2 recordings.

NEW HERE?

New here? Head to our Tutorial for guidance on how to master your Unistellar telescope to become a Comet Watcher.
If you have any questions please contact us at citizenscience@unistellaroptics.com.