Comet Atlas (C/2024 G3), returning after 160,000 years, could be visible to the naked eye for a few days, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere but not impossible in the Northern Hemisphere.
The NASA reported that the Comet C/2024 G3otherwise called Atlascould well be visible in the sky, and more precisely in the Southern Hemisphere. Monday January 13, she was not far from the Sunhas 13.5 million kilometers of it. The Futura Science site made a comparison with Mercurewhich, being the closest planet to the Sun, is located almost 50 million kilometers.
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Its position affects its brightness, but NASA has stated that it is difficult to predict its brightness. However, it may well be bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It has been described as a comet which “grazes the Sun”according to Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London.
No collision with Earth
It was spotted last April by NASA's warning system as one of the asteroids likely to collide with Earth. It had already passed not far from our planet… 160,000 years ago. But according to this data, there is a very small chance that it will collide with Earth.
However, being close to the Sun, there is a chance that it will disappear, but otherwise it could start to shine and, therefore, be visible in certain places on the planet. It could even appear in broad daylight, but this daytime vision can be dangerous for the eyes.
Overview in the Southern Hemisphere
Last Saturday, NASA astronaut Don Pettit posted a photo of the comet taken from the International Space Station, writing in his social media post: “It's simply amazing to see a comet from orbit. Atlas C/2024 G3 visits us.”
For people located in the Southern Hemisphere, researchers speak of a vision “from January 16” by “looking towards the eastern horizon before sunrise, and after perihelion, try the western horizon after sunset,” advises Dr. Shyam Balaji.
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If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, like in France for example, there is some chance of also being able to observe it since Monday January 13, always after sunset, even if using binoculars or A telescope could make it easier to see.
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