I was able to shoot a 20 second image using the Tombaugh Reflector of Comet 2021 A1. It was just before 5:00 AM local time (11:00 UTC) and the comet was about 30 degrees above the horizon. The winds were about 6-8 MPH so not great for keeping the imaging steady. (hopefully we’ll fix that sensitivity to wind with a telescope makeover later this winter/early spring. ) There is some doubt the comet will survive the trip around the sun. If the nucleus breaks up too early there may not be much left to see. On the other hand if it breaks up just before the time for our best view it could become spectacular like C/2019 Y4 did a couple of years ago. Stay tuned.
Comet C/2021 A1 – bright or disappointing?
