A moving story behind a beautiful snapshot of #Comet C/2024 G3 ATLAS:

“We took the photograph while we were en route from northern #Chile to Santiago, travelling to attend the first workshop on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Chilean astronomical community at ESO-Vitacura. Little did we know that this journey would present us with a once-in-a-lifetime observational opportunity!

The flight was delayed, and as the plane ascended, the timing coincided perfectly with sunset. By pure coincidence, the window seat in our row was unoccupied, providing us an unobstructed view of the breathtaking landscape below. It was then that we noticed a faint but unmistakable glow in the sky: Comet C/2024 G3 Atlas!

Eager to share this spectacle, we informed the flight attendants, who promptly passed on the news to the pilots. They were as enthusiastic as us, and they made an announcement to the passengers, describing the rare sight visible outside the plane. The pilots dimmed the cabin lights and even turned off the wing lights to enhance visibility, allowing everyone onboard to experience the comet in its full glory.

The cabin was filled with awe as passengers took pictures of the comet. This moment was a testament to how celestial events can bring people together, even at 30,000 feet!”

🥲

Thanks for sharing this wonderful image and story, Virginia Cuomo from the Astronomy Department of La Serena University in Chile and the Chilean Astronomical Society, and Annagrazia Puglisi from the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Southampton!

📷 Annagrazia Puglisi

#astrodon #astronomy #astrophotography #space #science