Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, a rare visitor in our night skies, is making an appearance that’s been eagerly anticipated by astronomers and stargazers alike.
The comet, which reached its closest approach to the Sun on September 27, 2024, has since been dazzling observers with its bright magnitude and stunning tail. For those looking to catch a glimpse of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, the best time to observe will be between October 14th and the 24th. During this window, the comet will be visible low in the west following sunset, potentially visible to the unaided eye if the comet’s tail is well-illuminated by sunlight. However, even as the month progresses, there’s still a chance to spot this interstellar visitor using binoculars or a small telescope. Reports suggest that on October 9, the comet reached a peak brightness of -4.9, making it visible to the naked eye even during the day for a brief moment.
The comet was first discovered by observers using telescopes in China and South Africa last year. It was approaching the inner solar system for the first time in documented human history. Scientists believed that it might break up before it passed the sun in late September, but they turned out to be wrong despite the fact that, “Comets are more fragile than people may realize,” as Bill Cooke, who leads the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said.
Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS may not return for another 80,000 years, making this a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of us here on Earth. Nevertheless, it may not be easy to spot because “We have a lot of light pollution and on top of that, the moon is heading towards a full moon, which makes it doubly difficult” said Bart Fried, membership chair of the Amateur Astronomers Association. Fried suggests that “The best bet is to look toward the west just after sundown, ideally somewhere outside the city where the sky really gets dark, such as the Catskills.”
People who have seen it in the last 24 hours are thrilled. “In my long life, I have seen two comets, Hale-Bopp and Kohoutek. If A3 is going to best these two, I can meet my maker happily, knowing that I have witnessed the best in my 75 year young life,” wrote a Youtube user.
Another wrote: “Been waiting for this. ……….and got to watch it tonite‼️I called the kids next door and their Mom and they all got to see it. What a thrill to show them this awesome experience 👍❤️.”
If you miss it this time around, you’ll have to wait 80,000 years for your next chance.
