Rare comet visible in the night sky won't return for 80,000 years
(KTXL) — Look up into the sky this month and you might see a rare comet that won't return for tens of thousands of years.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as C/2023 A3 to scientists and pronounced Choo-cheen-shahn, is expected to be visible to the naked eye across the Northern Hemisphere for several weeks in October, with the best opportunity between Oct. 12 and 26, according to NASA.
The comet has already been photographed around the world, including in the sky above the Golden Gate Bridge in California, shining as bright as some planets.
It got its name from the first astronomers and observers who saw it in early 2023. The Tsuchinshan Observatory in China detected it first in January, followed by a team using the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, in South Africa.
According to initial reports from astronomers, the comet's orbit around the sun could be once every 80,000 years, making its appearance near Earth a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Its closest approach to our planet will be on Saturday, Oct. 12, when it will be at a distance of 44 million miles. For perspective, Mars is about 140 million miles away.
How to see Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
In September and the first days of October, the comet has been visible closer to the equator and from the Southern Hemisphere, but as we approach mid-October, it will start becoming more visible across the Northern Hemisphere. It is, though, getting farther from Earth with each day, according to NASA.
If you search for it in the dawn twilight, you'll have to look east-southeast just above the horizon. You'll have to face west-southwest if you search for the comet in the evening.
According to Space.com, the comet will be most visible a few minutes before sunrise or a few minutes after sunset. Binoculars or a basic telescope will help give you a better view.
The outlet also said there may be opportunities to see the comet in the daytime, though skygazers are cautioned not to stare into the sun as they search for Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.
Comets are leftover debris from when the solar system formed and are composed mainly of dust, rock and ice, according to NASA. As they approach the sun, they send out gases and dust, which create their iconic tail.
Some comets completely break up from the heat of the sun, but those that survive could take many years, even centuries, before they approach the Earth again.
Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, if it survives, won't return to Earth for another 800 centuries.
Date: |
-
Tech - ABC News
A rare comet brightens the night skies in October
A rare, bright comet will be visible in October, clear skies permittingYesterday -
Sports - ESPN
Southgate vows year off before coaching return
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out returning to coaching for at least year despite interest from Manchester United should they decide to sack Erik ten Hag.16 hours ago -
Sports - ABC News
Sky officials are light on details in discussing their decision to fire Weatherspoon after 1 year
Chicago Sky officials were light on specifics when discussing their decision to fire former coach Teresa Weatherspoon after one seasonYesterday -
Sports - ABC News
Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he won't coach in the next year
Former England coach Gareth Southgate says he's taking a year away from a club or national team job23 hours ago -
World - ABC News
After a 2-year investigation, South African president won't be charged over $580K hidden in a couch
Prosecutors say South African President Cyril Ramaphosa won’t face criminal charges over a hidden cash scandal that was revealed more than two years ago and triggered an investigation by a special ...17 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Gareth Southgate rules out return to coaching for next year after England exit
Southgate has been linked with Manchester United He wants to give his mind and body time The former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out a return to coaching for the next year. The ...23 hours ago -
Sports - ABC News
Adam Svensson has personal-best 60 to lead in Utah's return to PGA Tour after 61 years
Adam Svensson has welcomed Utah back to the PGA Tour schedule with the lowest round of the Canadian's career on the tour11 hours ago -
Tech - Wired
Why Hurricane Milton Turned the Sky Purple
The strange, apocalyptic skies during the storm reveal how light behaves in the atmosphere when it’s filled with an unusual amount of water vapor, dust, and debris.2 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
Walz launching media blitz aimed at male voters
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the Democratic nominee for vice president, is launching a media blitz this weekend with a focus on appealing to male voters as polls show Vice President Harris trailing ...27 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Lawmakers press FTC chair on federal price gouging ban
A group of mostly Democrats pressed Federal Trade Commission (FT) Chair Lina Khan this week for more information on how a federal price gouging ban could help “hold bad actors accountable” in the ...28 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Harris, a freedom-loving defense hawk, is the choice for traditional conservatives
Conservatives should vote for Kamala Harris because she is a pragmatic center-right politician who understands the importance of national security, the economy, and our influence in the world.31 minutes ago -
Politics - The Hill
Harris ahead of Trump by 2 points in Pennsylvania survey
Vice President Harris is ahead of former President Trump by 2 points in Pennsylvania, according to a survey that was released on Thursday. Harris led by 2 points in Pennsylvania, 46.8 percent to ...32 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Coast Guard rescues man clinging to cooler near Sarasota
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a man holding onto a cooler about 30 miles off of Longboat Key in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, according to a post on the social platform ...46 minutes ago