Don’t rub your eyes — this year’s brightest comet is already headed our way.
The object has been designated Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), as first reported Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Final Alert System (ATLAS) Binoculars in Chile. Don’t be alarmed by the name of the telescope – the comet will pass by the Earth, not impact it – but this will happen only when the comet succeeds in passing close to the Sun on January 13.
Comets are clusters of dust and ice that emit celestial tails as they approach the Sun. causes heat Objects emitting gas and dust. However, the same thing that gives comets their unearthly beauty may also cause their downfall; Some comets come due to the intense heat of the Sun fade into oblivion Before they even got a chance to do the show.
The question on everyone’s mind about Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) is whether it will survive the journey – and if it does, how spectacular will its transit be?
At its closest approach to the sun, C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) will come within 8.3 million miles (13.5 million kilometers) of the star, according to EarthSkyComet C/2024 is G3 (ATLAS) predicted to reach a magnitude magnitude of -5.8 at its closest approach, making it brighter than any star in the night sky other than our Sun (which has a visual magnitude of -26.74).
Not to be confused with comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas)By the way, it surprised Earth-based observers when it passed last year. As it passed, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas) grew an opposing tailA rare feature caused by the comet’s position and its trajectory in relation to Earth.
According to EarthSky, southern observers will have the best chance of seeing the new comet Atlas. For people in the Southern Hemisphere, the best option is to look around the Sun just after sunset, as the comet will fade into the night sky as it rises. The comet will be in the Sun’s glare during its perihelion, so you’re more likely to see it after the comet has put some distance between itself and our host star – try on or after January 16. That said, the comet will be difficult to identify from the Northern Hemisphere due to its proximity to the Sun and low position in the sky during its brightest phase. According For sky and telescope.
Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) is a sunskitter, meaning that, despite its brightness, it will remain very close to the Sun – making its visibility in the night sky a short-lived thing. Even when the comet’s head is no longer visible, its tail can still be seen, if it is long enough. The jury is out on what the comet’s beauty would be like others this yearBut we will have to wait a week to see where it stands.
