INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – Get ready to gaze upwards, astronomy enthusiasts! A potentially bright comet, dubbed Comet A3, is making its way across the sky and could be visible to the naked eye in the Northern Hemisphere later this month.
First spotted in January 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and later confirmed by NASA’s ATLAS system, Comet A3 has been steadily brightening as it approaches the Sun. Unlike asteroids, comets are made of ice, rock, and gas, and as they near the Sun, the warmth causes the ice to vaporize, creating the spectacular dust and gas tails that make them so captivating.
While initial excitement suggested this could be one of the brightest comets in years, experts are now tempering expectations. Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, says, “Bright comets are quite rare, so if you do get a chance to see one, take a look, even if you have to use a pair of binoculars.”
Catch Comet A3 in the Early Morning or After Sunset
Comet A3 is currently visible in the early morning hours, low on the eastern horizon, but you might need binoculars or a telescope to catch a glimpse. However, around October 12th, the comet will be visible after sunset in the western sky, and with a little luck, you might even spot it with the naked eye.
“Comets are unpredictable,” Dr. Massey cautions, “but we don’t know when the next one will appear, so don’t miss this chance.”
Even if Comet A3 doesn’t quite reach the brilliance of Comet Neowise, which graced the skies in 2020, it still promises to be a captivating celestial event. So, clear your calendars, find a dark spot, and prepare for a celestial show! (Red)
