On Monday, October 14th, Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) hosted a comet viewing party at Jackson Flat Reservoir, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of about 50 locals and visitors. Attendees were treated to a spectacular view of comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan/ATLAS, a rare sight that won’t grace our skies again for another 80,000 years. If you haven’t yet caught a glimpse of it, now’s the time—look west just after sunset, around 8 p.m., above Venus. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the experience.

One of the most common questions we get about the comet is, “How long is its tail?” That’s a tricky question! Unlike the fixed tail of a dog or cat, a comet’s tail changes in length depending on its proximity to the Sun. Comets are composed largely of ice, and as they approach the Sun, the heat causes this ice to vaporize, forming a glowing tail of gas and dust. As the comet moves farther from the Sun, the tail shrinks as less ice turns to gas. Yet even at its shortest, a comet’s tail can stretch millions of miles – a stunning natural wonder.

If you missed the comet viewing party, there’s another star party coming up! On Friday, October 25th, SVO will be at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, where we will see the comet, Saturn, the Seven Sisters star cluster, and much more. We would love to see you there!

For those who prefer a warmer setting or an earlier event, join us at the Nomad Café on Saturday, October 26, at 2 p.m., where we will be discussing the early universe, including the Big Bang, how stars and galaxies form, and what scientists predict for the future of the universe. Bring questions, and let’s chat!