Comet Tsochenshan-Atlas may soon become visible

Stargazers around the world are eagerly awaiting the fall of 2024. Comet Atlas Tsochenshan may or may not become visible in the sky.

Munich – The discovery of Comet Tsochenshan-Atlas (C/2023 A3) on January 9, 2023 has excited astronomers all over the world. It could be visible to the naked eye in the sky in autumn 2024. The use of expressions like “maybe” and “possibly” makes this clear: Comet behaviour is extremely difficult to predict – in fact, no one can say exactly what will happen to Atlas Tsochenshan. This is especially true because the comet is heading towards the Sun for the first time.

Comets, also known as “dirty snowballs,” come from the outer reaches of our solar system. They are made of dust and rocks held together by ice. When one of these celestial bodies approaches the sun, it heats up and the ice begins to sublimate. This releases dust and rocks that form a distinctive tail. A second tail can be created by the outgassing.

Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas: Will it survive its closest approach to the Sun?

However, there is also the possibility that the comet could break apart as it approaches the Sun, as Comet ISON did in 2013, breaking up before it could provide the expected celestial view. One study also predicted this for the Tsuzshan Atlas, but current images from the southern hemisphere show the comet is still there.

Predicting the brightness of a comet can only be done to a limited extent. When Atlas Tsuzhenshan was discovered, it was thought to be as bright as -3 mag, making it brighter than the brightest planet, Venus. Some experts today believe Atlas Tsuzhenshan will be visible in the sky with the naked eye, while others are more cautious and want to wait and see what it actually sees in the sky.

Everyone is eagerly awaiting the appearance of Comet Atlas Tsochenshan.

Uwe Pilz from the Friends of the Stars (VdS) is taking part in the opposite direction. Merkur.de from IPPEN.MEDIA With: “We are all eagerly awaiting the appearance of Comet Atlas Tsochenshan in October.” He adds: “It will be at its brightest between October 7 and 12.” From October 14, you can definitely find the comet even without great knowledge of the sky.

The comet is currently on its way to our solar system. On September 27, Atlas Zuochenshan will reach its closest point to the sun, known as perihelion. It will then pass the sun at a distance of about 58 million kilometers. For comparison: Earth is about 150 million kilometers away from the sun. If Atlas Zuochenshan survives its close encounter with the sun, it will move away from the sun again after perihelion and fly toward Earth. On October 12, it will reach its closest point to Earth, perihelion, at a distance of about 70 million kilometers.

Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is currently invisible in the sky.

The Tsuzhenshan Atlas is currently not visible in the Northern Hemisphere. It will only be visible in the morning sky for a short time in early October. After a few days, it should be visible in the evening sky, setting some time after sunrise. If you want to observe the comet, you need to have a clear view to the west. It is also advisable to use as dark a sky as possible to observe the Tsuzhenshan Atlas.

However, it is still uncertain whether the comet will actually be visible in the sky in October. Stuart Atkinson, amateur astronomer and author of astronomy– Illustrated books In the magazine “Night Sky”. BBC, What to do now: “Now we wait. There's nothing we can do. The culprit does what he does. But it can't hurt to keep your fingers crossed…” (unpaid invoice)