Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS may become the brightest comet in recent years
Comet 2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), discovered in January 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory and the ATLAS project, has reemerged from behind the Sun and is rapidly brightening. It is expected to become one of the brightest comets in recent years, with peak visibility between October 7 and 12, 2024, as it approaches Earth and the Sun.
Image credit: NASA/Matthew Dominick
- Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has recently reemerged from behind the Sun and is rapidly brightening, potentially becoming one of the brightest comets in recent years.
- The comet is now visible from both hemispheres, with peak visibility expected between October 7 and 12, when it will be closest to Earth at a distance of about 0.47 AU.
- The next few weeks will determine whether the comet lives up to its potential as a breathtaking sight for stargazers worldwide.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which was obscured in mid-August, is now visible in the early sky, particularly from the southern hemisphere. As it approaches perihelion on September 27, it will receive a surge of solar heating, which is expected to dramatically increase its brightness, possibly even making it visible during daylight hours.
Observers between 10 and 50 degrees north latitude will have the best chance of seeing the comet’s brilliance in clear evening skies, with the finest viewing opportunities likely occurring shortly after October 9, when the comet appears post-perihelion.
The comet’s orientation relative to the Sun may cause forward scattering, potentially boosting its brightness by up to seven magnitudes on October 9.
This brightening is due to the comet’s proximity to the Sun and Earth. As solar energy heats its frozen nucleus, gas and dust are released, creating a luminous coma and tail. This increase in brightness is expected to reach negative magnitudes by early to mid-October, making the comet visible in the evening sky.
The next few weeks will determine whether the comet lives up to its potential as a breathtaking sight for stargazers worldwide.
If conditions are favorable, the comet may shine brightly enough to be seen with the naked eye or captured in photographs during daylight hours.
References:
¹ Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looking good for October – Nick James – British Astronomical Association – September 17, 2024
² C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) – JPL – Accessed September 21, 2024
3 A bright comet is approaching earth – SpaceWeather – Accessed September 21, 2024
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