Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as comet A3, is currently visible in the night sky across the U.S. through Oct. 24.
Need to look West for comet A3 this evening. Could not imagine a more troll-like cloud forecast than the one here in Reading… pic.twitter.com/4J5OIChDrv
— Dr James O'Donoghue (@physicsJ) October 18, 2024
The comet will dim as the month goes on and it moves farther from the sun and higher in the sky.
To find the comet, have as clear a view of the western horizon as possible.
Beginning October 20, the best visibility of comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS period ends, and the comet begins to fade, but its already enormous tail might grow a bit larger! Grab binoculars or a telescope and spot it in the constellation Ophiuchus until the end of October.
pic.twitter.com/3YuPZUoYV8— Star Walk (@StarWalk) October 20, 2024
Look in that direction starting about 15 minutes after sunset through about 45 minutes after, depending on your exact location. The comet will be fairly low on the horizon.
Keeping your eyes away from light to maintain night vision will help. Light from the setting sun may highlight the comet, making it easier to see.
Comet visibility tips for stargazers
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗖/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝟯 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 ⛰️
📷 Aleix Roig @astrocatinfo pic.twitter.com/7nF41srAnS
— Aleix Roig (@astrocatinfo) October 18, 2024
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) imaged at 19UT of Oct. 18, 2024 with a 35cm telescope of @spacefluxHQ network in Morocco.
Mosaic of 3x120sec exposure
Obs. E. Guido, M. Rocchetto & @AValvasori #astronomy #CometC2023A3 pic.twitter.com/IkPLY7dUTg
— Ernesto Guido (@comets77) October 18, 2024
While there is still time to catch a glimpse of the comet with the naked eye, it may be easier to use a pair of binoculars or a telescope. Even your smartphone camera could assist. Try about 30 minutes or so after sunset.
Comet A3 won’t enter the inner solar system again for another 80,000 years, if ever. Scientists initially thought the comet might break up during its closest pass to the sun on Sept. 27.
NASA astronomer Bill Cooke explains that comets are fragile due to the effects of passing close to the sun on their internal water ice and volatiles such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. NASA notes that the comet could eventually be flung out of our solar system like a pebble from a slingshot, due to the gravitational influence of other worlds and a “jetting” effect caused by the comet’s offgassing during its solar transit.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
