THE comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinschan-ATLAS), which reaches its closest point to the Sun this Friday (27), received the nickname “comet of the century”. The term came into use after initial predictions pointed to its high potential to shine in the night sky.
The value that the comet’s maximum brightness can reach is still uncertain, as explained by Rodolfo Langhi, coordinator of the Didactic Astronomy Observatory at Unesp: “Comets are unpredictable stars to a certain extent.”
For this reason, astronomers are a little reluctant to assume that C/2023 A3 will, in fact, be the “comet of the century”.
“We put it in quotation marks, right? It’s a very bright comet, it’s a brighter comet than the others that came before it. However, it is a bit risky to call it the ‘comet of the century’, because other comets may appear within this century that are brighter than this one”, said Langhi.
Initial predictions about the celestial body indicated that it could shine brighter than the planet Venus in the sky, but recent data indicate that the comet is unlikely to reach its full potential — although it can still be seen with the naked eye during the early hours of the morning.
How to observe the “comet of the century”?
The comet is already visible to the naked eye from Brazil, but being able to observe it may still be a little difficult in this last week of September, as it is very close to the Sun.
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.
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 the middle of next month. The beginning of October may be the best time to observe it.
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 the end of 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 Why is C/2023 A3 being called the “comet of the century”? on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
