An eye-catching celestial event is around the corner. Comet C/2023 A3, known as the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, will make an appearance in the skies this fall.
The newly discovered comet is projected to pass near the Earth, offering stargazers a chance to see a comet that has travelled millions of years in orbit to reach us.
Here is how you can observe the comet:
When and where to see Comet C/2023 A3
The comet could shine as brightly as the planet Venus in the coming weeks and give Canadian viewers a fair shot at spotting the comet, according to Paul Delaney, a professor emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at York University.
鈥淚n and around October 15,16, 17, where in evening twilight, so when the sun has set and the sky is getting somewhat darker, that鈥檚 going to be our first opportunity to see it, if it is, in fact this bright,鈥� Delaney said in an interview with CTVNews.ca Monday.
鈥淎s October stretches on, it will get more visible in darker skies,鈥� he said, while adding that the further away from the sun, the comet鈥檚 brightness is expected to drop.
For those on the southern hemisphere, including those living in countries like Australia and New Zealand, Delaney said the comet was a little further out and therefore fainter.
Delaney said September 11 or 12 was when visibility peaked for those south of the equator and because it will swing in and get closer to the sun at the end of September, they are not well placed for looking at this comet.
About C/2023 A3
Comets like C/2023 A3 are 鈥渂ig, dusty ice balls,鈥� and when they start coming in close to the sun, they heat up and begin to discharge gasses and dust and that鈥檚 what create comet tails, Delaney said.
But he warned that comets are mostly 鈥渦npredictable鈥� and this would be 鈥渢he first time we鈥檝e seen this comet.鈥�
While some astronomers claim this will be the brightest comet in recent years, even calling it the 鈥渃omet of the century,鈥� Delaney warned that such claims have been made about previous comets that haven鈥檛 lived up to expectations.
According to Delaney, the comet originated from the Oort cloud and has taken millions of years to get to us here.
In response to concerns of the comet鈥檚 disintegration, Delaney said 鈥渋f it was going to fall apart, it probably would have done it by now,鈥� adding that it鈥檚 still a possibility.
Comets that get close to the sun get broken up because of tidal forces and if it鈥檚 not solid. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 know its characteristics, it could well be pulled apart by the gravitational forces of the sun as it swings through perihelion at the end of September.鈥�
Delaney said they are still trying to assess whether it鈥檚 next move will be to return to the Oort cloud or escape the solar system after its visit to the northern hemisphere.
鈥淭he closer we get to the middle of October, we will be able to predict with increasing certainty how bright this [comet] will be, assuming it survives passage wit the sun and perihelion,鈥� Delaney said.
Tips for stargazing
For the best experience of the comet, stargazers should ensure a clear, unobstructed view and choose a location away from city lights.
鈥淭he darker the sky you can observe from the better,鈥� Delaney advised. 鈥淚f you can drive half an hour outside of the city to a friend鈥檚 place that鈥檚 darker that will improve the quality of the view.鈥�
鈥淚f our predictions are in fact correct, even city lights are not going to dim [the comet],鈥� Delaney said.
He said that it will be harder to see the comet鈥檚 tail the brighter light pollution is, and if you鈥檙e stuck in the city, find the darkest spot in your backyard or local park.
While the comet may be visible to the naked eye, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will help enhance the view.
