Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is reaching peak brightness, displaying a stellar head and long tail. (Palomar Observatory)
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS shows a classic appearance. This bright comet with a star-like head and prominent tail will be visible in the night sky.
As we move through late September into October, observations reported in the Comet Observation Database (COBS) place this comet between first and second magnitude.
The coma (comet’s head) is currently about 130,000 miles (209,000 kilometers) across with a tail that stretches about 18 million miles (29 million km).
Also read: The Oldest Rotating Galaxy REBELS-25 Challenges the Theory of Galactic Evolution
So far, this comet has been mainly visible to those living in the Tropics and Southern Hemisphere. In recent days, the comet has begun to be visible in parts of the United States, although still in the faint light of dawn, hovering low above the east-southeast horizon. But soon, observers across the Northern Hemisphere will get their first clear view of this newest visitor.
The timing couldn’t be better, as the peak of this comet’s appearance is yet to come!
Still trapped in the twilight light
Today, as Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS continues to move through the inner solar system, it shines as brightly as the brightest stars, but it also remains hidden in the sunset light. So, even though it is very bright, seeing this comet directly will not be easy.
Also read: The following is a list of 5 spacecraft that have successfully reached the edge of the solar system
Experienced amateur astronomers have a good chance of seeing Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS in the coming days. The comet will appear very low in the bright light of morning twilight, about 25 minutes before sunrise (October 7 and 8) and/or evening twilight, about 25 minutes after sunset (October 10 and 11).
Looking at the horizon with binoculars will be helpful, as the comet may not be immediately visible to the naked eye due to its low altitude and being set in bright twilight light. However, once you find the comet, you can try to see it without optical aid.
People using GoTo telescopes — a type of telescope mount with software that can automatically point the telescope at an astronomical object of the user’s choosing — can refer to specific celestial coordinates provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This comet is listed as C/2023 A3.
Also read: Astronomers discover a new class of giant black holes that are much larger than supermassives
Is it visible during the day?
How bright will Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS ultimately be? Complicating this estimate is the fact that this comet passed almost directly between Earth and the sun. The “forward-scattering” effect, in which small particles of ice and comet dust are reflected back into sunlight, can make comets appear much brighter.
This comet may even become bright enough to be visible during the day.
However, observing comets close to the sun can be dangerous because solar radiation can damage your retina without causing pain.
Also read: Discovery of Quasars with Strong Winds in the Earliest Galaxies Stops Star Formation
The safest way to watch
The safest way to see this comet is through a computer screen, with the help of the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Astronomers hope to get a spectacular view of this comet using the LASCO C3 SOHO camera.
Leap into the night sky
Most likely, Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS’ best appearance will occur in the night sky between October 12 and 26. At that time, this comet will be the largest visible object in the solar system and the closest to Earth besides the moon.
Dark skies provide the best views
Find a good viewing spot beforehand and arrive early. You will need an open view towards the southwest horizon. At first, the comet may be visible even from cities and suburban locations, but later in the month, the most impressive views will be visible from dark rural locations.
“While the stars remain in place, the sky offers us a reminder that there is magic out there always waiting to be discovered.” (Space/Z-3)
