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Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas can now be seen in the evening sky. An expert gives advice on when and how best to see the comet.
Frankfurt – For a long time, the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas (C/2023 A3) could only be seen from the southern hemisphere, but later it could also be observed in the northern hemisphere, but only with great difficulty. Observing Tsuchinshan Atlas will become easier in the coming days as the comet now appears in the evening sky. Starting around October 10th or 11th, Tsuchinshan Atlas should be visible in the sky around sunset in the west. However, in the first few days it will be relatively close to the sun and will set before the sky is really dark.
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas can now be seen in the evening sky
Now or never: Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas can only be seen with the naked eye until around October 25th
If you want to observe the comet, you should use the coming days and look for it in the evening sky. Free computer programs or smartphone apps such as “Stellarium” or “Starwalk” help you find the right place above the horizon. On October 13th, the comet will be closest to Earth – only about 70.5 million kilometers separate the two celestial bodies from each other. “Visibility with the naked eye ends around October 25th, or for those with experience under a dark sky perhaps a few days later,” emphasizes Pilz.
Since comet Tsuchinshan Atlas was discovered in January 2023, experts have been wondering how bright it will be. Pilz expects a lot – especially because of the so-called “forward scatter”, as the expert says. He explains the phenomenon: “You experience forward scattering when dust grains flash in the sun in a dark room. It is strongest when you look towards the light source.” This is exactly the situation that Pilz sees in October.
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas (C/2023 A3) sets a little later each evening
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas will set about 16 minutes later each evening, making it increasingly visible in the evening sky. However, its brightness gradually decreases again as the celestial body moves away from the earth again. The best days to view the comet are the days immediately after it appears in the evening sky. Because then the comet is still bright and the sky is not yet illuminated as much by the moon. It approaches the full moon on October 17th and is therefore a little brighter every day. At the time the comet can be seen in the southwest, the moon is in the southeast – and is getting brighter every day.
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan Atlas), imaged by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick from Bor on the International Space Station (ISS). © dpa/NASA/JSC/Matthew Dominick
Comets are celestial bodies that come from the cold outskirts of the solar system. They are made up of dust and stones held together by ice – that’s why they are also called “dirty snowballs”. When a comet flies towards the sun, the ice eventually begins to turn into a gaseous state. Dust and stones are released from the comet and form the characteristic tail. The gas escaping from the comet can form a second tail. Because of this composition, comets often break up near the sun – they release too much ice. (tab)
