Excitement surrounds the potentially breathtaking visibility of Comet C/2024 G3, as it makes its closest approach to the Sun, with the possibility of being seen by the naked eye starting this week.
Comet C/2024 G3: A Celestial Phenomenon Returns after 160,000 Years
Comet C/2024 G3: A Celestial Phenomenon Returns after 160,000 Years
A stunning celestial event is set to captivate stargazers as Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) approaches Earth for the first time in 160 millennia.
Over the weekend, the comet reached perihelion, the point at which it is nearest to the Sun—a significant factor that influences its brightness. NASA has suggested that though predicting a comet's brightness can be unpredictable, C/2024 G3 could exhibit brightness comparable to Venus, potentially illuminating the night sky.
This historic comet was detected last year by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, and it is expected to shine brightly for viewers, specifically in the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics at King's College London, noted that the comet will pass approximately 8.3 million miles from the Sun, categorizing it as a "sun-skirting" comet.
While viewing conditions for the comet may fluctuate due to its behavior and specific local environments, experts suggest that the best chances to observe it will be during the days surrounding perihelion. For the Southern Hemisphere, early risers are advised to check the eastern horizon before dawn, while those wishing to observe it post-perihelion should look to the western sky after sunset.
Moreover, Dr. Balaji emphasized finding locations away from artificial light for optimal viewing and suggests using binoculars or a small telescope to enhance the experience. Caution is advised during sunrise and sunset while tracking the comet in the sky.
As astronomers continue to monitor the comet's pathway, NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared images captured from the International Space Station, expressing amazement at witnessing this celestial body up close.
More details and updates on the comet's sighting opportunities will follow as conditions evolve, allowing amateurs and enthusiasts alike to share in this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
This historic comet was detected last year by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, and it is expected to shine brightly for viewers, specifically in the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics at King's College London, noted that the comet will pass approximately 8.3 million miles from the Sun, categorizing it as a "sun-skirting" comet.
While viewing conditions for the comet may fluctuate due to its behavior and specific local environments, experts suggest that the best chances to observe it will be during the days surrounding perihelion. For the Southern Hemisphere, early risers are advised to check the eastern horizon before dawn, while those wishing to observe it post-perihelion should look to the western sky after sunset.
Moreover, Dr. Balaji emphasized finding locations away from artificial light for optimal viewing and suggests using binoculars or a small telescope to enhance the experience. Caution is advised during sunrise and sunset while tracking the comet in the sky.
As astronomers continue to monitor the comet's pathway, NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared images captured from the International Space Station, expressing amazement at witnessing this celestial body up close.
More details and updates on the comet's sighting opportunities will follow as conditions evolve, allowing amateurs and enthusiasts alike to share in this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
