How to See a Once-in-a-Lifetime Comet—Tonight!
When you think about once-in-a-lifetime events, you probably think of weddings, graduations and the birth of a child. But tonight, an even rarer event is headed your way, and all you have to do is look to the sky. The Tsuchinshan-Atlas comet was identified last year, and tonight, you can see it for yourself as it passes near Earth.
According to NASA, a comet is essentially a ball of frozen gas, rock and dust the size of a small town that orbits the sun, just like a planet. As a comet gets close to the sun, it heats up and begins to glow, spewing dust and gas that form a tail that can stretch for millions of miles across the sky. How’s that for a fun space fact?
If ever there were a time to keep your eyes on the sky, October is it. Read on to learn all about the Tsuchinshan-Atlas comet, including when it’s visible and how to get the best possible view.
GetReaders DigestsRead Up newsletter for more news, science, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How rare is this comet?
The term once-in-a-lifetime hardly describes how rare it is to catch a glimpse of Tsuchinshan-Atlas, also known as C/2023 A3. Here’s an astronomy fact for you: The comet is visible only once every 80,000 years. Calling it a once-in-80-millennia event is actually more accurate!
When can you see the comet?
Spotted in different states across the U.S. over the weekend, Tsuchinshan-Atlas is now visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere. The comet reached its peak brightness on Oct. 12, but if you didn’t catch this natural phenomenon, don’t worry. It will continue to shine brightly throughout the rest of October.
As it moves farther from the sun, the comet will fade from view, which experts expect to happen on or around Halloween.
Can you see it with the naked eye?
Though you won’t be able to spot the comet in daylight, you’ll likely see it shooting across the night sky. Luckily, you don’t need a telescope to view this rare comet. Over the weekend, onlookers were able to see Tsuchinshan-Atlas with the naked eye, and binoculars were just an added bonus.
However, as the month progresses, the comet may be harder to spot without a little assistance. Soon, stargazers will need to rely on binoculars to find the comet in the night sky.
How can you spot it tonight?
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this special comet, keep your eye on the western horizon. Experts say it’s most visible roughly 45 minutes after sunset each day.
The best way to see it is against a completely clear, dark sky. Of course, that may be trickier for people who live in brightly lit cities or urban areas. You may need binoculars if your city has a lot of light pollution.
Having trouble finding Tsuchinshan-Atlas? You can use the planets and other stars to help you spot it with your binoculars. Find Venus, which glows bright in the southwest, and then locate the bright star Arcturus to its west. You’ll find the super-rare comet below, approximately halfway between them.
What other cool astronomical events can you see in October?
October has been filled with stunning astronomical spectacles, including a rare sighting of the northern lights (aka aurora borealis). Over the past week, people in several states have spotted the breathtaking lights, the result of a geomagnetic storm. The northern lights often resemble blowing curtains of shifting red, pink, green and purple lights. They are likely to be seen as far and wide as Pennsylvania, Iowa, Massachusetts and Oregon.
Additionally, a hunter’s moon, also called a supermoon, will appear in the sky on Oct. 17. A supermoon occurs when a full moon reaches its closest distance to Earth as it orbits the planet, says NASA.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- NASA: “Comets”
- Sky & Telescope: “Bright Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Climbs into Evening View”
The post How to See a Once-in-a-Lifetime Comet—Tonight! appeared first on Reader's Digest.
from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/IJGjRY5
Comments
Post a Comment