Rare comet may be visible for the first time in 160,000 years
A bright comet could be visible in skies around the world in the coming days for the first time in 160,000 years.
NASA said it is “extremely difficult” to predict the future brightness of a comet, but Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) may remain bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
On Monday, the comet was at perihelion, the point where it is closest to the Sun, which affects how bright it appears. Experts say that it can be visible from Monday night.
Although the exact locations for potential visibility are unknown, experts believe the comet, which may be as bright as Venus, may be best seen from the southern hemisphere.
The comet was spotted last year by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Final Warning System.
Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said, “Current orbital calculations indicate that it will pass by about 8.3 million miles from the Sun”, classifying it as a “Sun-skirting” comet. Classifies.
The university described the comet as a once in 160,000 years event.
Dr. Balaji said opportunities to see the comet may occur “in the days around perihelion, depending on local conditions and the behavior of the comet.”
“Like all comets, its visibility and brightness can be unpredictable,” he said.
Mr Balaji said those who live in the Southern Hemisphere – from where the comet is predicted to be best seen – should “look towards the eastern horizon before sunrise, (and) after perihelion, after sunset.” Then we should try the western horizon.”
But Mr Balaji said that although it is expected to be “quite bright”, predictions on the comet’s brightness are “extremely uncertain”, with many of them being fainter than initial estimates.
For those in the Northern Hemisphere – including the UK – seeing the comet’s approach to the Sun can be challenging.
You can check with bbc weather online Check to see if the sky is clear enough to potentially see where you are.
Sri Balaji advised people wishing to view the comet to find a location away from light pollution and use binoculars or a small telescope.
He warned observers to be alert around sunrise and sunset, and said to keep an eye on the comet’s position to determine where it might appear in the sky.
Meanwhile, astronomers are following the comet’s path.
On Saturday, NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo of the comet taken from the International Space Station on social media.
“It’s absolutely amazing to see a comet from orbit. Atlas C2024-G3 is coming to meet us,” he wrote.
