He cometa C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) It has captured the attention of astronomers and amateurs around the world for being an extremely rare celestial phenomenon. Discovered in early 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and the ATLAS project in Hawaii, It has such a long orbit that it is not expected to pass near Earth again in the next 80,000 years.. For this reason, this will be the only chance to see the starwhich some experts have already dubbed as the “comet of the century”.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is one of the most impressive astronomical phenomena of recent times
Its enormous tail and potentially spectacular shine make it one of the most anticipated attractions of the year in astronomy. Although it will not pass extremely close to Earth, its position in the sky will allow it to be visible a simple seen in some placesas for example in Seattle, Washington.
It follows an orbit of around 80,000 years, meaning that its last appearance in the inner solar system occurred at a time when the first modern humans were just beginning to settle in different parts of the planet. The closest distance it will reach to Earth will be on October 12, when will be approximately 70.7 million kilometers awayaccording to Cometography.
The best opportunity to observe this rare phenomenon will be on October 12, when the comet will be closest to Earth. Experts recommend finding a location with a clear view of the horizon.since it will appear low in the sky about 45 minutes after sunset. According to Bill Cooke, who leads NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, to the local media Seattle Timesthe C/2023 A3 will be visible to the naked eye, but It is advisable to use binoculars or a telescope for better observation.
Alan Spurgeon, president of the Seattle Astronomical Society, suggests that people look for areas away from light pollution, such as rural areas or mountain trails. Clearer, higher elevations in western Washington are also ideal viewing spots. Besides, Weather forecasts for the region indicate that conditions will be favorablewhich will make viewing easier.
The path of the comet prior to its maximum point, when it shines brightlyImagen The Sky Live
To maximize the experience of observing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, there are several recommendations to follow:
For those who cannot physically attend or who prefer to follow the event from home, the site The Sky Live offers an interactive map showing the exact position of the comet in real time. This allows you to follow its path and observe its evolution as it moves through the sky.
The comet will not be seen as a shooting star, but rather as a stationary ball of light with a long tail extending behind it. However, some scientists have warned that there is a chance it could disintegrate before reaching its closest point to the Sun, also known as perihelion.
Astronomer Zdenek Sekanina, in an article published by Cornell Universitymentioned that long-orbit comets often collapse before being fully visible. Still, if Tsuchinshan-ATLAS survives its passage close to the Sun, it will be a celestial spectacle.
Diagram of the orbit of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) on September 18Imagen de The Sky Live
Comets are celestial bodies composed mainly of ice, dust and rocks.. They originated billions of years ago during the formation of the solar system. As it approaches the Sun, its icy core begins to heat up, which releases gas and dust that create a glowing atmosphereknown as a coma, and a tail that can extend millions of kilometers. This process is what makes them so impressive to look at when they pass close to Earth.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Comets usually follow elliptical orbits around the Sun.which means that they spend most of their time in the most distant regions of the solar system and only approach the fire star at long intervals, such as the case of C/2023 A3, which returns after 80,000 years.
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