He comet of the century will soon be visible to the naked eyewe can visualize this element from Earth for a few days. NASA has already warned astronomy lovers that a cycle change awaits us that may be key and that perhaps had not caught our attention until now. Astronomy is the detail that can end up being what marks a before and after on this path to success that lies ahead of us.
NASA experts are closely monitoring what happens with this comet, which could change everything completely. These are times of astronomical events, as we see everywhere. From the northern lights to the eclipses that have accompanied us in recent days, without a doubt, we have ahead of us a situation that could become especially notable. A comet is not seen every day and even less so when it is very close to Earth. So much so that we will be able to follow his journey during these last times that we have ahead of us and that could be key.
The comet of the century that will be visible to the naked eye
He which has been dubbed the comet of the century for its uniquenessis closer than it seems. It will end up becoming a harsh reality that can accompany us in these days for which perhaps we are not completely prepared. An event of this type deserves all our attention.
We want to visualize this series of changes that we can begin to see coming and to do so, there is nothing better than taking a look at the sky. Spending a few minutes contemplating these astronomical events that will end up marking a before and after is essential and you can end up following a series of details that are fundamental.
It is a season of astronomical events that may be the ones that accompany us these days. We look at a night sky through which an important comet will pass on very specific dates that, without a doubt, will end up marking a path for which perhaps we are not completely prepared.
This comet will be visible to the naked eye, something that we may not see every day, but it will end up being a reality in a matter of days. NASA warns that you should note these dates and this position in the night sky.
The great astronomical event of the year already has a countdown
Starwalk is the specialized blog that gives us more details about this important comet: «First of all, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is likely to be very bright. The future luminosity of this comet is unpredictable and largely depends on its activity in the coming months. However, most sources agree on one thing: C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is likely visible to the naked eye. If we’re lucky, it could become exceptionally bright and even surpass C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) from summer 2020. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a comet this bright, so observers are very excited for C/2023. A3. Additionally, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is expected to develop a beautiful cometary tail. After passing close to the Sun at a distance similar to Mercury’s orbit, C/2023 A3’s coma of dust and ice will heat up considerably. As the ice particles evaporate, they will quickly escape into space, taking with them a large amount of dust that will spread out in a long, bright tail. As history shows, comets that pass close to the Sun have the most impressive tails, formed shortly after being “roasted” by the heat of the Sun. And this is the case of comet C/2023 A3!
Note these dates during which you will be able to see it: «September 18-26: 4.7 to 3.0 mag, appears in the morning sky in the Southern Hemisphere, low above the eastern horizon in the constellation Sextans. Requires binoculars (preferably 10×50 or 12×50). Good time to observe the comet’s tail (possibly double tail).
- September 27-October 2: 3.0 to 0.0 mag, reaches closest point to the Sun (perihelion) on September 27, appearing in the morning sky in the Southern Hemisphere and in the Northern Hemisphere (below 40°N ). Move from the constellation Sextans to the constellation Leo on September 28. It could be visible to the naked eye.
- October 2-9: 0.0 to -3.0 mag, but too close to the Sun to be visible to the naked eye. It can be observed and photographed with a telescope in the morning with the necessary precautions. The most optimistic forecasts say that the comet will exceed magnitude -5.0 — if so, it will be visible to the naked eye even in the daytime sky near the Sun.
- October 10-12: -3.0 to -1.0 mag, appears in the evening sky in the Northern Hemisphere shortly after sunset, very low in the western sky in the constellation Virgo. Short observation window, but visible to the naked eye! Best time to see the comet. It comes closest to Earth on October 12.
- October 13-14: -1.0 to 1.0 mag, quickly loses brightness, but moves away from the Sun and is therefore easier to see. Visible to the naked eye at night, about an hour after sunset. On October 14, C/2023 A3 will pass close to another comet, 13P/Olbers (mag 10).
- October 15-19: 1.0 to 4.5 mag, moves towards Serpens Caput. It can produce an anti-tail — a bright streak that appears to point toward the Sun, opposite the other tails. On October 15, it will pass within 1.4° of the globular cluster M5, offering a good photographic opportunity.
- October 20-31: At 4.5 to 7.0 mag, moves through the constellation Ophiuchus relatively high in the southwestern sky at night. Visible with binoculars and telescopes. During these days, the comet’s tail will begin to grow rapidly, possibly reaching up to 20° longitude (about 40 times the size of the Full Moon) under dark skies.
- November: 7 to 8 mag, visible at night. It rises highest in the Northern Hemisphere after sunset.
- December: From 8 to 10 mag, gradually moves closer to the Sun in our sky, rising lower above the horizon. Not visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
