Are you ready to witness a celestial spectacle? Get your telescopes and binoculars ready because a new comet, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), is making its way across our skies! While there are never any guarantees when it comes to comets, astronomers are hopeful that this one will be visible to the naked eye.
Mark your calendars for the pre-dawn hours of this week, specifically between Friday, September 27th and Wednesday, October 2nd. During this period, you’ll have the chance to spot the comet a few degrees above the east-southeast horizon approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. The best mornings to catch a glimpse include Sunday, September 29th and Monday, September 30th, when the comet will be accompanied by a delicate waning crescent moon, adding to the celestial charm.
The comet is expected to reach its peak brightness on Friday, September 27th, as it reaches perihelion, the point in its 80,000-year orbit closest to the sun. Some astronomers predict that C/2023 A3 could become as luminous as the top 20 brightest stars in the night sky. However, comets can be fickle, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little shy and requires a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope to fully appreciate its presence.
What makes this celestial visitor so special? As C/2023 A3 approaches the sun, its constituent dust and ice begin to melt, creating a sizable dusty tail that adds to its captivating appearance. You might be able to see this tail even with the naked eye.
While the comet will be visible in the pre-dawn sky for those in the Northern Hemisphere, those closer to the equator will have a slightly longer window to enjoy this celestial spectacle, with the comet remaining visible until October 2nd. After that, it will disappear from view due to the sun’s glare, only to reappear in the Northern Hemisphere’s night sky around Saturday, October 12th, when it will be at its closest point to Earth. It will then be positioned close to the western horizon.
Don’t miss this chance to witness a rare celestial event. Grab your binoculars, find a spot with a clear view of the horizon, and prepare to be captivated by the beauty of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS).
