Jakarta –
On August 11, 2023, an amateur astronomer from Japan named Hideo Nishimura discovered a comet. This celestial body was then named Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura).
The newest comet is said to be visible to the naked eye on September 12, 2023. The best time to observe them is a few hours before dawn.
Comet Nishimura is currently crossing the constellation Gemini with a magnitude of 8.6. The comet will reach perihelion (closest point to the Sun) on September 17, 2023. When it is in the perihelion phase, this comet is very difficult to observe because it is only 12 degrees from the Sun.
Quoted from the Bosscha Observatory Instagram account, at the best time to observe it on September 12, comet Nishimura is in the constellation Leo with magnitude 4.6.
Is it true that it can be seen without the help of tools?
Although some say that Nishimura’s comet can be seen with the naked eye without using tools, it is said on the NASA Science website, this cannot be ascertained because of the unpredictable nature of comets.
Hideo Nishimura himself discovered the comet in just a 30 second sighting using an ordinary digital camera. Since its discovery, the comet has become brighter and its path through the inner solar system defined.
As the comet dives toward the Sun, the space object will grow in size and may be visible to the unaided eye in September. Unfortunately, this comet will also be angularly close to the Sun, making it only possible to observe it before sunset or sunrise.
The comet will be so close to the Sun, inside Mercury’s orbit, that its nucleus can rupture.
Later when the comet moves away from the Sun, its brightness will fade. In mid-October 2023, the comet will be 20 degrees farther from the Sun.
Watch Video “Scientist’s Prediction of a Star Swallowing Earth”
(nah/nwk)
2023-08-24 12:30:00
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