The “comet of the year” is expected to become visible to the naked eye later this year in the evening skies. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) is currently getting brighter and growing a tail as it travels between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the constellation Virgo. While it is currently only observable in a large telescope, experts predict that it will brighten substantially during October and potentially become as bright as Venus in the night sky, making it a standout celestial event.
Comet A3 comes from the Oort Cloud, a sphere around our solar system that houses millions of comets, and has an orbit of over 80,000 years. It was discovered in February 2023 by astronomers at South Africa’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope and China’s Tsuchinshan Observatory. The comet’s perihelion, its closest approach to the sun, is set to occur on October 10, 2024, making it easiest to see from the northern hemisphere in the southwest just after sunset.
The brightness of Comet A3 is difficult to predict, but there is a possibility that it could reach the brightness of Venus, which is the second brightest object in the night sky after the full moon. Despite potentially reaching such brightness, observers in the northern hemisphere may not benefit much, as the comet would be low on the horizon and obscured by haze at its peak brightness. However, as it rises higher in the sky in mid-October, it is expected to be the best time to view the comet, with its brightness becoming less relevant if it is visible to the naked eye.
Sky-watchers across the world are hopeful for a special sighting of Comet A3 as it climbs higher into the southern sky during October and November. While the exact brightness of the comet remains uncertain, its potential visibility to the naked eye makes it a highly anticipated event in the world of astronomy. As the comet continues to brighten and develop a tail, astronomers and enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on its progress in anticipation of a spectacular celestial show in the coming months.
In the midst of recent astronomical events such as the total solar eclipse and solar “superstorms,” the potential appearance of a naked-eye comet later this year adds to the excitement for sky-watchers and astronomers alike. Comet A3’s journey from the Oort Cloud and its expected brightening make it a significant celestial event that could become the “comet of the year” and possibly even the century. With clear skies and wide eyes, observers are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to catch a glimpse of this unique cosmic phenomenon in the night sky.
