Get ready to see the sky again, come on! On October 28, 2024, Earth’s inhabitants will be able to see comet C/2024 S1here. This comet, which was only discovered on September 27 2024, will soon reach its perihelion point. This made this comet predicted to be one of the brightest appearances that could be observed this year.
However, is this really true? Unfortunately, this potentially won’t happen. Why is that? This is information about comet C/2024 S1 that you need to know before observing it.
Comet C/2024 S1 which is a member of the Kreutz family of solar comets
comet illustration (commons.wikimedia.org/Alexander Vasenin)
As previously mentioned, comet C/2024 S1 is a comet that was only discovered at the end of last September. This comet was captured by a robotic telescope system called the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Hawaii.
FYI, this comet is included in the comet family group Kreutz sungrazer. It is called that because this comet passes at a point very close to the center of our solar system, aka the sun. Well, said cross itself comes from the name Heinrich Kreutz, who was the originator of categorizing comets based on their distance from the sun, according to ESA.
So close, several comets Kreutz sungrazer it can even be several thousand miles from the surface of the sun. Well, comet C/2024 S1 is also part of the comet family sungrazer because the distance is very close. More precisely, this comet is only about 1.5 million kilometers or 900,000 miles away.
So, what makes this comet special? Just like most comets sungrazer other things, this comet can display bright light. Comet C/2024 S1 is even thought by scientists to be the brightest Kreutz comet since the appearance of comet Ikeya-Seki (C/1965 S1).
Comet C/2024 S1 has the potential to have a brightness level of up to magnitude -8. This number will make it appear brighter than Venus. This also makes this comet one of the long-awaited celestial phenomena, especially since its appearance is only brief.
Also read: 5 facts about the Orionid meteor shower, peaking on October 21, 2024
Reportedly broken and no longer bright
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Unfortunately, unpleasant news is spreading as comet C/2024 S1 gets closer to the sun. Information is circulating that C/2024 S1 experienced the release of intense gas which triggered fragmentation. This phenomenon ultimately makes the comet’s nucleus smaller.
If the largest fragments of this fragmentation survive and pass through the sun when they reach the perihelion point, this comet can still be seen brightly. However, if it doesn’t survive, comet C/2024 S1 may not be as bright as scientists previously predicted.
So, why does this happen? Well, because its location is closer to the sun, the influence of radiation pressure and gravitational force also affects the comet. This phenomenon then triggers fragmentation and causes fragmentation, it was reported Infor Astronomy.
However, the situation is still unclear, reported Time and DateMan-To Hui, Astronomer Macau University of Science and Technology explained that a lot of data was still needed to find out this.
How to observe comet C/2024 S1
ilustrasi komet (commons.wikimedia.org/Otemiz (Oğulcan Temiz))
Wellregardless of opinion whether comet C/2024 S1 has been destroyed or not, several sources say that you can still see it, really. However, maybe it won’t be as bright as predicted, yes.
So, how do you observe comet C/2024 S1? In the southern hemisphere, the best time to observe this comet is a few days before its perihelion on October 28 2024. Meanwhile, in the northern hemisphere it may be visible several days after perihelion.
On that date, this comet may experience a bright spot of up to magnitude -3.3. You can observe it before dawn and it may be brighter than Venus in the sky. Reported Starwalk Spacethe trajectory of this comet is estimated to be only 2 degrees from the sun in the sky.
In the midst of the uncertainty of the condition of comet C/2024 S1, observing this celestial body is not impossible, really. However, you may need the help of tools to be able to observe smaller fractions.
Also Read: Draconid Meteor Shower, Peaking on October 8 2024
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Sure! Let’s dive into this celestial caper, shall we? Buckle up and keep your telescopes at the ready, because we’re talking about the dazzling, the enigmatic, the slightly more unreliable than your ex’s promises—comet C/2024 S1!
Get Ready to Spot a Comet… Or Not!
October 28, 2024: the day we Earthlings were supposed to huddle together, eyes pointed skyward, oohing and aahing at the celestial fireworks. Yes, comet C/2024 S1 was supposed to waltz in and strut its stuff brighter than my future on a good night—potentially outshining Venus! The comet was only spotted in September, proving that even space can have last-minute surprises. Who knows? Maybe it had a bad hair day and decided to hold off debuting until now!
A Bit About the Comet
Now, let’s break it down—this little ball of icy gases is part of the Kreutz family of solar comets, which are basically cosmic thrill-seekers that love to zip around the sun. If you’ve ever had family gatherings around Christmas, think of it as the fun but unpredictable cousin that shows up a few hours late and takes the spotlight. Named after Heinrich Kreutz, who must’ve had a keen eye for the stellar, this comet allegedly zoomed within just 1.5 million kilometers of the sun—just a cosmic hop, skip, and a jump away!
And boy, when it comes to light shows, it’s got the potential to be the brightest Kreutz comet to dazzle us since the 1965 stirrings of Ikeya-Seki. Just picture it: people with telescopes shouting, “Look, I can see it!” while others squint and say, “Or is that just Venus in a different outfit?”
The Worry Wart
However, there’s always that friend with a dark cloud of doubt, isn’t there? As it approaches the sun, reports are emerging that C/2024 S1 may have been going through a bit of a midlife crisis. In cosmic terms, this involves intense gas release and, dare we say, fragmentation of its nucleus! Yep, it’s like its face has been flushed with radiation from all the pressure, and it’s cracking under the stress.
Imagine a comet going to therapy: “Doc, I feel like I’m losing my shiny self!” If the parts hold together through their solar rollercoaster ride, we might still get a spectacular view. But if they fizzle out in the sun’s fiery embrace, we might be left staring at the night sky, wondering if that distant twinkle is the comet or just a satellite with an identity crisis.
How to Get Your Eyes on the Prize
If you’re still keen on spotting this celestial celebrity, here’s the game plan: in the Southern Hemisphere, keep your eyes peeled just before October 28. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, you might have to do some stargazing sky gymnastics after the date. The comet may still shine—albeit slightly dimmer—around magnitude -3.3. This means it might just be making a charming appearance before dawn, as if it’s on a cosmic coffee run.
But here’s the catch: if it decides to take a backseat on the brightness meter, you might want to have your binoculars or telescopes handy. Forget about staring at the empty sky and hoping for a miracle—this is the 21st century; we have gadgets!
Conclusion: It’s All Up in the Air
So, whether comet C/2024 S1 turns out to be the stark raving beauty it was predicted to be, or a shy, flickering representation of its former glory, we’ll just have to wait and see. Space is fickle, much like that friend who promises to call you back but never does. So keep your eyes on the sky (and maybe a bottle of wine handy to numb the disappointment), and let’s hope this cosmic enigma delivers a show to remember—or at least one that won’t crash and burn on its way past the sun!
In the end, as the great Rowan Atkinson might say: "See you on October 28th, folks, and may the comet be with you!" And remember, if you can’t see it, just blame it on the moon being too bright. It’s a classic excuse!
