Astrophotographers Worldwide Capture Breathtaking New Discovery in Space
Astrophotographers worldwide are capturing stunning images of Comet Nishimura, a new discovery in space spotted by amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura in August 2023 using a DSLR camera.
Astrophotographers worldwide are capturing images of Comet Nishimura, a new discovery in space spotted by Hideo Nishimura in August 2023 using a DSLR camera. (PHOTO: Sky News)
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Capturing Comet Nishimura: A Remarkable New Discovery in Space Through Amateur Astrophotography
Astrophotographers around the world are currently capturing stunning images of Comet Nishimura as it traverses our solar system. According to a published article in Space, this new discovery in space was first spotted in August 2023 by Hideo Nishimura, an amateur astronomer hailing from Kakegawa City, Japan. Remarkably, Nishimura’s new discovery in space was made using a Canon DSLR camera equipped with a telephoto lens, a departure from the typical comet discovery method that relies on automated telescopes like the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) in Hawaii.
Over the past few weeks, the global community of comet enthusiasts and astrophotographers has been closely tracking Comet Nishimura’s journey through the cosmos, capturing awe-inspiring images in the process. The coming weeks hold great promise for observing this new discovery in space as it approaches its closest point to Earth on September 12, followed by its perihelion, the closest approach to the sun, on September 17. Currently located in the Leo constellation, Comet Nishimura is best viewed in the early morning hours before sunrise, towards the eastern horizon.
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Revealing Comet Nishimura: A New Discovery in Space with Expert Astrophotography
To witness this celestial spectacle, observers are advised to look east during the predawn hours, utilizing stargazing apps for locating the comet. For a more detailed view, binoculars or telescopes of varying sizes can be employed. Through binoculars or small-to-medium-sized telescopes, observers can expect to see a greenish, fuzzy orb, while higher-powered optics may reveal the comet’s tail.
Renowned comet hunter Michael Jäger of Austria has captured a multitude of breathtaking images of Comet Nishimura during September. This new discovery in space includes the observation of the comet experiencing a disconnection event, resulting from an outburst of solar wind. In a subsequent event, Jäger photographed the comet as it “regrew” a well-defined tail. Other enthusiasts, such as Nick Bull (Stonehenge Dronescapes) and Stuart Atkinson, have also contributed vivid images of Comet Nishimura, showcasing its evolving characteristics. Lorenzo Di Cola’s image from L’Aquila, Italy, offers a grounded depiction of what backyard skywatchers can anticipate through binoculars or small telescopes.
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