The Bright Comet Visible Once in 160,000 Years
In a rare celestial event, a bright comet is set to dazzle the skies across the globe after 160,000 years.
Nasa has indicated that predicting the future brightness of a comet is a challenging task, but Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) might just be bright enough to be visible to the naked eye.
Reaching perihelion on Monday, the comet is closest to the Sun, influencing its brightness. Experts suggest that it could be visible as early as Monday night.
While the exact viewing locations remain uncertain, astronomers believe that the comet, shining as brightly as Venus, may be best observed from the southern hemisphere.
Discovered last year by Nasa’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, the comet has caught the attention of Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher at King’s College London.
Dr. Balaji noted that the comet is on track to pass about 8.3 million miles from the Sun, classifying it as a “sun-skirting” comet, a phenomenon that occurs once every 160,000 years.
He emphasized the unpredictability of comet visibility, advising potential observers to look towards the eastern horizon before sunrise in the southern hemisphere and towards the western horizon after sunset post-perihelion.
Although the comet is expected to be quite bright, Dr. Balaji cautioned that comet brightness predictions are notoriously uncertain, often turning out fainter than anticipated.
For those in the northern hemisphere, including the UK, viewing might be challenging due to the comet’s position relative to the Sun.
Check BBC Weather online for clear sky updates in your area, and remember to find a location away from light pollution and use binoculars or a telescope for the best viewing experience.
As astronomers track the comet’s path, Nasa astronaut Don Pettit shared a breathtaking photograph from the International Space Station, capturing the beauty of Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) on its journey. Witness the once-in-a-lifetime event unfold in the night sky. — BBC
