THE comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinschan-ATLAS) reaches its closest point to the Sun this Friday (27). The star was nicknamed “comet of the century” for its potential to appear very bright in the night sky.
The comet’s maximum brightness is still uncertain, but visual observations made up to the beginning of August indicate that it could reach 2nd magnitude in early October — the smaller the magnitude of a celestial body, the brighter it appears. in the sky.
Although it passes through the closest point to the Sun this Friday — reaching 58.6 million km from the star — the comet only approaches Earth in the month of October — reaching 71 million km from our planet on the 12th.
OC/2023 A3 was discovered last year by the Chinese Tsuchinshan Observatory and later confirmed by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) system.
How to observe C/2023 A3, the “comet of the century”?
Although the comet is already visible to the naked eye from Brazil, being able to observe it may still be a little difficult in this last week of September, as it is still very close to the Sun. As the month of October begins, it should get closer to the Sun. our planet.
To be able to find it in the sky, the observer needs to be in a place far from the city, with the eastern horizon completely clear. OC/2023 A3 appears very close to the horizon line towards the east, just before sunrise, close to the constellation Sextante.
“Around 4:30 in the morning, anyone looking towards the eastern horizon, where the Sun rises, before the sky starts to lighten, will be able to notice a faint spot, this is the comet”, explained Rodolfo Langhi, coordinator from the Unesp Didactic Astronomy Observatory.
The astronomer pointed out that, even if the star is possible to see with the naked eye, this largely depends on the conditions of the place where the observer will be. The biggest challenge is finding an observation point from which it is possible to see the horizon line free of buildings, constructions or mountains towards the east. Pollution, city lights or the presence of clouds can also get in the way.
The comet should be visible for a short time after sunrise, brightening the sky and overshadowing it.
When is the best time to see the comet?
Langhi’s tip is to start paying attention to the sky from now on and keep trying to spot the celestial body until mid-October.
According to him, there is almost an exchange relationship: as the comet moves away from the Sun and approaches the Earth, it starts to appear higher on the horizon, but it also begins to reduce the intensity of its brightness.
It should remain visible in the sky from this week, until mid-October. Using binoculars or a telescope can make observation easier.
Rodolfo Langhi also points out that, even if the comet is not visible to the naked eye, the cell phone camera in night mode may be able to capture it.
Check it out here astronomy apps to help locate and track astronomical phenomena in the night sky.
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This content was originally published in “Comet of the century” passes by Earth; find out how to observe on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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