Comet C/2023 A3 Set to Grace Our Skies After 80,000 Years! Here’s How You Can View the Rare Celestial Event

Astronomers, skywatchers, and nature lovers are gearing up for an extremely rare celestial spectacle. Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, last seen by our early human ancestors 80,000 years ago, is making its grand return. The comet will be visible on four consecutive mornings, from Friday to Monday during the early morning hours. It will appear like a faint star with a hazy tail. NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Don Pettit are closely tracking the comet and monitoring its progress. They took to social media to share captivating images and videos of the comet and its journey. They have encouraged everyone to join them in viewing the comet. If you are wondering where to watch it, scroll below. 'A Large Comet Will Hit Earth and Destroy Almost All Life': Elon Musk Reacts as NASA Tracks Massive Asteroid 2024 ON Near Earth.

Astronaut Matthew Dominick, in his most recent post, described Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as a fuzzy star when viewed through the cupola windows with the naked eye. But he states that the comet’s real beauty emerges when it is viewed with a 200mm f/2 lens at 1/8s exposure. He added that as it approaches the sun, this celestial visitor is expected to provide some truly breathtaking photographs. Matthew shared an eight-second time lapse video that shows the comet from the space station’s cupola windows.

Astronaut Matthew Dominick Shares Time Lapse Video of Comet C/2023 A3

Astronaut Don Pettit shared his take on observing the comet from orbit. He adds that even though the comet's tail is too faint to be seen with the naked eye at the time, it is rapidly brightening as it approaches the sun. Pettit also mentioned that he would be following Matthew Dominick's technique of capturing photos of the comet every day to study the evolution of the comet's tail structure. Currently, there seems to be a forward-directed tail that he is unsure is real or simply an artifact caused by shooting through multiple window panes. He further adds that only time will tell if this structure will become more prominent.

Astronaut Don Pettit Shares Breathtaking Photos of Comet C/2023 A3

According to reports, Comet C/2023 A3 takes 80,000 years to complete a lap around the sun. By the end of September 2024, it's expected to shine as brightly as a star with a magnitude of +0.6, making it easily visible in the pre-dawn sky. On September 28, 2024, the comet will reach its closest point to the sun, known as perihelion. But, for the best viewing experience, we'll have to wait until mid-October. That's when the comet will grace our evening sky, though its brightness might slightly dim to around magnitude +0.8. Asteroids and Comets: What's the Difference?

Whether you're in the northern or southern hemisphere, you should be able to see this comet with the naked eye. But if you want to get a better look, a pair of binoculars can enhance your viewing experience. You can view the comet on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings. The best time to see the comet on these mornings is about 40 minutes before dawn, when the sky is still dark and the sun's glare has not interfered with the view.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2024 09:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).