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Date Published: 26/09/2024

The comet of the century will soon be visible from Spain

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This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to witness Comet C/2023 A3

The comet of the century will soon be visible from Spain

Get your binoculars and telescopes ready, because a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event is just around the corner. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), discovered in early 2023, is making its way towards Earth and promises to put on a dazzling show.

Dubbed the “comet of the century” by the scientific community, this celestial visitor is expected to be visible to the naked eye from Spain, offering a rare treat for star gazers.

Discovered on January 9 last year by astronomers at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Comet C/2023 A3 has captivated the scientific community ever since. Originating from the Oort cloud, a distant region of the solar system, this comet has embarked on an extraordinary journey towards the Sun, and soon, Earth.

With its unique trajectory, this comet is expected to be a one-time visitor to the inner solar system, unlike periodic comets like Diablo or Halley’s Comet, which return regularly.

As Comet C/2023 A3 hurtles closer to the Sun, it will reach its perihelion, the closest point to Earth, this September 27, at a distance of 58 million kilometres. But the real showstopper comes on October 12, when the comet will be at its very closest to us.

Currently, A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is travelling at a staggering speed of 290,664 kilometres per hour, cruising between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. As it draws nearer, skywatchers can expect a brilliant display, with the potential for the comet to be clearly visible even to the naked eye.

This comet is special for two reasons. Firstly, it’s not periodic, so this may be our only chance to witness it, as it likely won’t return to our solar system again. Secondly, it’s likely to be incredibly bright, although since this is its first appearance, we’ll have to wait and see what happens after it passes through the Sun.

On October 12, simply look up at the night sky and behold this incredible astronomical event that won’t happen again for another 26,000 years.

Also of interest: Where to see the Perseids meteor shower visible in the night sky this August

Image: Freepik

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