The comet C/2023 A3 is visible in the western sky after sunset
en.wikipedia.orgI've been looking for it, and will keep trying. Here are some guides that I found online.
Simple [0] EarthSky
More detailed with text. [1] Astropix
More detailed with 3 finder charts. [2] The Sky Live
I'm starting with the first chart on [2] to get my bearings.
[0] https://earthsky.org/space/comet-c-2023-a3-sep-oct-2024-tsuc...
[1] https://www.astropix.com/wp/a-guide-to-comet-c-2023-a3-tsuch...
I had an impressive view on Saturday night after church. I stood around on a street corner just to see it. I own no telescopes, and hadn't brought my tripod, and the object was invisible to my unassisted eye. Nevertheless, after 6:30pm, the sky was dark enough, and I sighted it in my Pixel's telephoto lens. I snapped many clear photos at that point.
The comet with tail was striking and unmistakable, despite many aircraft with contrails in the same area, and significant urban light pollution at the edge of a seven-lane stroad.
Basically all I could see in the Western sky were Venus and Arcturus. Thankfully, that's enough to pinpoint the comet's location. I am using the mobile app "Stellarium", whose impressive premium version includes ephemera and real-time charting for practically everything in the heavens.
It was about a half hour's viewing time on Saturday. On Monday, 10/14, it was higher in the evening sky, with reduced magnitude, but I could discern it with the camera for a while.
Personally, this is the most thrilling natural event I've witnessed since last April 8's solar eclipse. It's been a singularly amazing year to rekindle my interest in astronomy!