A comet not seen for more than 80,000 years will likely be visible from Earth in two separate periods next month.
Comet Atlas Gassan, also known as Comet A3, is thought to have an orbit around the Sun for more than 80,000 years. According to Earth.com.
The comet will first become visible on September 27th and is expected to continue until just before sunrise on October 2nd. It is expected to look like a fluffy ball with a tail extending into the sky.
“C/2023 A3 has an orbital period of approximately 80,000 years and is classified as a long-period comet. This means that its behavior and appearance are unpredictable, as its brightness and tail development may change as it approaches the Sun. ” said Minjae Kim. A space expert from the University of Warwick's School of Astronomy told earth.com.
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Comet C2023 A3 Tuchinxian-Atlas will be seen on a hilltop near the village of Aguas Blancas, La Valleja Department, Uruguay, in the early morning hours of September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)
“If the prediction is correct, it could be seen as a vague star with a tail extending across the sky; if not, binoculars or small telescopes could reveal details of the comet's structure and tail,” Kim said. he added.
September 27th will also be perihelion, or the point of closest approach to the Sun, after which the comet will begin its journey to the outer solar system. According to WKMG.
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will appear over Molfetta, Italy on September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)
Comets often break up as they approach the sun, so if the comet survives its journey around the sun, another viewing opportunity where visibility is expected to be even better will be in mid-October.
If the comet survives its journey around the sun, it will be visible to the naked eye at its closest approach to Earth, which is expected to be best from October 12th to October 20th.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to hit the Earth after the autumnal equinox.
Comet C2023 A3 Tuchinxian Atlas will be visible on a hilltop near the village of Aguas Blancas in La Valleja Department, Uruguay, at dawn on September 28, 2024. (Getty Images)
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This comet will rise high in the sky every night for the next 80,000 years until it disappears.
Starwalk, an astronomical app for stargazers, said the comet was “the most anticipated comet of the year.”
