Stargazers are in for a treat as the astrological event of the year is set to take place with comet A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, making its way through the inner Solar System. Two viewing windows have been identified for observers in the northern hemisphere to catch a glimpse of the comet with their naked eyes. The first window is from September 27 to October 2, while the second window is from October 13 to 26. Observers are advised to find a dark location away from city lights with a clear view for the best experience and to use binoculars to enhance the viewing.
Comet A3 was discovered in January 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and the ATLAS program in South Africa. The comet is primarily made of ice, dust, and rocks, and as it gets closer to the Sun, the heat causes the ice to vaporize, creating a glowing coma and a long tail. The comet has been dubbed the “comet of the century” by some enthusiasts due to its brightness, though experts are more reserved about its unpredictability.
Observers in the southern hemisphere and even inhabitants of the International Space Station have already managed to catch glimpses of comet A3 and have shared their images on social media. The second viewing window in mid to late October is not guaranteed as there is a risk of the comet disintegrating when it gets closer to the Sun. The perihelion, the moment the comet is closest to the Sun, is scheduled for September 27 at 5 PM.
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