Take iPhone comet photos tonight!

Hey everyone! Tonight is the perfect night to capture the beauty of the cosmos using just your iPhone—yes, you can get surprisingly great results (see my Aurora photos from this week below)! The highlight of the evening is Comet C/2023, a visitor from the far reaches of our solar system. What makes tonight special is that the comet will be at its closest approach to Earth, offering the brightest and clearest view we’ll get. With the right settings, your iPhone can produce great photos of the comet.

First, What is Comet C/2023?

Comet C/2023, recently discovered by astronomers, is a long-period comet that originates from the distant Oort Cloud (beyond our solar system). This particular comet is making its way through our solar system, giving us a rare chance to observe its icy nucleus and glowing coma. As it approaches the sun, the heat causes its icy components to vaporize, creating a visible tail that can be seen with the naked eye. The comet's brightness and proximity make it a perfect subject for amateur photography tonight.

How to Set Your iPhone to Long Exposure Mode

To capture the comet in all its glory, you'll want to take advantage of your iPhone's long exposure capabilities. Here's how you can do it:

1. Use a Tripod: Stability is crucial for long exposure shots. A tripod will help you avoid blurring your photos. If you don't have a tripod, just stand as STILL as possible.

2. Enable Night Mode: Open the Camera app and ensure Night Mode is active. It usually activates automatically in low-light conditions.

3. Adjust Exposure Time: Tap the Night Mode icon (looks like a moon) at the top of the screen. You can then adjust the exposure time manually; try setting it to the maximum for the best results. You can go up to 10 seconds, but if you are tripod-mounted, the camera on your iPhone can go as long as 30 seconds.

4. Lock Focus: Tap on the screen to focus on the comet and hold until you see "AE/AF Lock." This will keep your focus steady.5. Capture the Photo: Press the shutter button and hold steady until the exposure is complete.

C/2023 Comet photos with an iPhone viewer photos

Taken from Kill Devil Hills, a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States by Parker Stelly, Deco Exchange, using an iPhone.

Best Times Across the US to take Take iPhone Comet C/2023 photos

First, look to the west!

For viewers in the United States, the best time to capture Comet C/2023 will be after sunset and before midnight. Specific peak viewing times across time zones are as follows:

- Eastern Time: 9:00 PM

11:00 PM

- Central Time: 8:00 PM

10:00 PM

- Mountain Time: 7:00 PM

9:00 PM

- Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

8:00 PM

Make sure you have a clear view of the western horizon and check local weather conditions for optimal visibility.

If you get some good photos, be sure to share them in the ScopeTrader forums for everyone to see!
 

My October 2024 Aurora photos below

Gorgeous Aurora color all the way in Missouri

How To See Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Tonight

Michael Martin with Late Night Astronomy shows you how to see this once-in-a-lifetime comet as it passes by Earth this October!