Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is Here!
As someone who’s passionate about looking at the sky, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) is visible at times, and it’s putting on quite a show!
On October 14th, I saw the comet well-positioned in the sky, midway between Venus and the bright star, Arcturus.
Now is your chance to witness this stunning comet as it moves across the evening sky.
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Viewing Times:
-About 45 minutes after sunset with a clear sky
-Now until October 26th (but dimming as each day progresses)
-Best viewing Oct 14th & 15th
Where to Look: Look toward the western sky, low near the horizon. Each evening, you’ll notice the comet will rise a little higher, but appear slightly less dim as it continues its journey.
How long will it be visible each night? On October 15th, the comet will be visible until it sets about 1 hr 20 minutes later. By October 26th, it won’t set for about 4+ hours, however by this date it will be very dim and will only look like a faint star.
Nearby Objects: To help locate the comet, start by finding Venus, one of the brightest objects in the evening sky.
A comet is a celestial traveler made of ice, dust, and rock, and as it nears the Sun, the heat causes it to release gas and dust, forming a beautiful glowing tail.
Make sure to catch this once-in-a-lifetime sight and share it with your friends and family! The skies are full of wonder, and watching a comet like this reminds us of the vast beauty of the universe.
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