Michigan's Night Sky Spectacle: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and the Milky Way

The fall of 2024 brought an extraordinary cosmic visitor to Michigan's night skies. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) made its appearance after a journey of thousands of years from the distant reaches of our solar system. As a photographer always searching for that perfect moment, I knew this rare astronomical event demanded special attention.

I set out for Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where light pollution remains minimal and the shores of Lake Superior offer dramatic landscapes. The location I chose features a classic northwoods cabin perched on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by a mixture of pine, birch, and aspen trees beginning their early autumn transformation.

The night couldn't have been more perfect for astrophotography. Clear skies allowed for excellent visibility, with just enough thin clouds on the horizon to add depth to the scene without obscuring the main attraction. The still waters of Lake Superior created a gentle, misty effect around the shoreline rocks, softening the foreground.

Capturing this image required careful planning and timing. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was visible to the naked eye, but to really showcase its detail alongside the Milky Way required a combination of technical expertise and patience. I used a tracking mount to compensate for Earth's rotation during the long exposure needed to gather enough light from both the stars and the landscape.

What makes this image special is the perfect alignment of elements. The sweeping arm of the Milky Way curves across the sky, leading the eye directly to the comet with its distinctive tail. Meanwhile, the cozy cabin – its warm light contrasting against the cool blues of night – anchors the composition and provides a human element that emphasizes the scale of the cosmic display above.

This comet represented a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity for stargazers across North America. Visitors from around the country traveled to dark sky locations like Michigan's Upper Peninsula to witness this celestial traveler. Some brought telescopes, others simply lawn chairs and blankets, but all shared in a collective moment of wonder as they gazed upward at this visitor from the distant reaches of our solar system.

The photograph serves as both documentation of a rare astronomical event and a tribute to Michigan's natural beauty, where pristine wilderness meets the vast expanse of Lake Superior under a canopy of stars that continues to inspire awe in all who take the time to look up and wonder.