Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS May Outshine Stars This Fall
Astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project captured an image of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS on May 5, 2024, from Ceccano, Italy. This comet, discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on Feb. 22, 2023, is set to make its closest approach to the sun on Sept. 27, coming within 36 million miles. On Oct. 12, it will pass just 44 million miles from Earth, potentially brightening to second or even first magnitude and developing a notable tail that could be seen in the western evening sky in mid-October 2024.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has an orbital eccentricity of 1.0001081, indicating it is a first-time visitor from the Oort cloud. Comets from the Oort cloud often end up being duds as they near the sun, but the comet’s geometry relative to the sun and Earth around Oct. 8 could result in forward scattering of sunlight, potentially causing a dramatic increase in brightness. If the comet continues to brighten beyond late July, there is a good chance it will evolve into a striking sight. However, there are no guarantees, as past comets have both exceeded and fallen short of expectations.
Stay tuned for updates on Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and keep an eye on the sky for the potential celestial show this fall.
Potential Bright Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS Visible This Fall
Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS, discovered in February 2023, is set to make a close approach to the sun on Sept. 27 and pass by Earth on Oct. 12. The comet, originating from the Oort cloud, may brighten to second or even first magnitude and develop a notable tail, potentially becoming a striking sight in the western evening sky in mid-October 2024. However, there is a possibility that the comet may not live up to expectations, as previous comets have shown unpredictability in their brightness.
The comet’s geometry relative to the sun and Earth around Oct. 8 could result in forward scattering of sunlight, causing a surge in brightness. Comparisons to previous comets that brightened due to forward scattering suggest that Tsuchinshan-ATLAS might become as brilliant as Venus around this time. While there are no guarantees, fingers are crossed for a spectacular show this fall.
Excitement Builds for Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS This Fall
Astronomers and skywatchers are eagerly anticipating the potential bright showing of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsunchinshan-ATLAS this fall. Discovered in February 2023, the comet is expected to make its closest approach to the sun on Sept. 27 and pass by Earth on Oct. 12. While there is a possibility that the comet may not live up to expectations, due to its Oort cloud origins, the comet’s geometry relative to the sun and Earth around Oct. 8 could result in forward scattering of sunlight, leading to a surge in brightness.
Comparisons to previous comets that brightened due to forward scattering suggest that Tsuchinshan-ATLAS might become a brilliant sight in the sky, potentially rivaling Venus in brightness. Keep an eye on the updates and stay tuned for the latest developments on this exciting celestial event.
