Shropshire: Dash not to miss once
- Photographers Jono Kimber and Julian Cartwright faced personal commitments and challenging weather while trying to capture the rare Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet in Shropshire, England.
- Despite limited time due to family obligations, both managed to photograph the comet on separate occasions, each overcoming unique challenges such as the bright light from the Hunter's Moon and cloud cover.
- Their experiences underscore the dedication of amateur photographers to seize extraordinary opportunities in night sky photography, even amid challenging circumstances.
In mid-October 2023, keen photographers in Shropshire, England, faced challenging weather conditions while trying to capture images of the rare Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet, which last visited Earth 80,000 years ago. Amateurs Jono Kimber and Julian Cartwright encountered personal commitments that threatened their opportunities to photograph the celestial event. Kimber initially feared he would miss his chance while taking his son to Scouts, yet he managed to find a spot to photograph after some driving around. However, he also contended with the unwanted light of the Hunter's Moon, which created additional challenges during his shoot. Cartwright, who predominantly focuses on wildlife and landscape photography, also seized the opportunity to photograph the comet while out for a walk with his wife. He successfully captured an image just as clouds began obscuring the comet shortly after he set up his camera. Both photographers faced their respective battles against time and conditions as they sought to document a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, illustrating both the passion and dedication that drive amateur astronomers and photographers alike during extraordinary astronomical events.