Observation by Michael Buechner, Frank Niebling : 3I Atlas with tail 9th Nov

Uploaded by

Michael Buechner

Observer

Michael Buechner, Frank Niebling

Observed

2025 Nov 09 - 05:06

Uploaded

2025 Nov 09 - 13:19

Objects

0003I

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Constellation

Virgo

Field centre

RA: 13^h04^m
Dec: -05°22'
Position angle: -4°16'

Field size

1°07' × 1°30'

Equipment

TEC 140 f/7 with AP 0.72x Quad Telecompressor f=5
ASI 6200MM; Baader filter L,R,G,B
ASKAR 60/300 , QHY 367 C
ASA DM 60 , Remote controlled

Exposure

ASI 5x180 S, QHY: 5x180s

Location

PixelSkiesAstro, Remote, Spain

Target name

3I Atlas

Title

3I Atlas with tail 9th Nov

About this image

Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas at 09.11.2025 shows nice tail structures Despite interference from moonlight (82 % illuminated) and a small height of around 9 to 12 degrees a try on comet 3I Atlas. The picture is heavily processed to show the antitail and the "smoking" tail. Combination of a picture series with 2 telescopes, piggyback mounted and tracked on comet: TEC 140 at f5 and ASI 6200MM, 5x180s L Askar 300

Files associated with this observation

Frank-Niebling-20251109_3Iatlas_asi_u_qhy2a_1762691235_lg.jpg (581.2 kB)

Like this image

Duncan Hale-Sutton, Dominic Ford, Robin Leadbeater, Nick Quinn, Ms Janice McClean, Steve Knight

Comments

Nick James, 2025 Nov 09 - 16:10 UTC

That's an amazing image! Much deeper than any other that I have seen and it shows extraordinary detail. Can you confirm the field of view of a single panel please so that we can compare this with other images. The platesolver on this site has a solution and I think it is correct for the top panel but that would make the tail over half a degree long. Is that correct?

Michael Buechner, 2025 Nov 09 - 17:59 UTC

Hi Nick, I did a measurement with Tycho Tracker: Mv: 9m.8 , Coma: 3.6', Tail: 30' PA 294

BR Michael

Nick James, 2025 Nov 10 - 23:14 UTC

Thanks. What a fascinating object this is.

Nick James, 2025 Nov 11 - 18:31 UTC

Hi Michael - We've been contacted by a journalist who would like to use this image in an article. His website is here:

https://www.livescience.com/author/patrick-pester

It seems OK. I think he has already linked to it anyway but I can let you have his email address if you contact me directly.

Philip Jennings, 2025 Nov 12 - 13:26 UTC

Beautiful photo! Fascinating to see much more dynamics going on in the tail than I was aware of. I too have been contacted by a journalist wanting to use your image for a Spanish news station broadcast. If you could please contact me at editor@britastro.org, I will pass on his email address.

Michael Buechner, 2025 Nov 12 - 19:32 UTC

Yes, I would be pleasure, if image will be published. Frank and I got several requests in the last days. It seems that 3I Atlas had an outbreak on early November. Our observation today shows, that tail is getting fainter and longer.

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