Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is coming! – The Weather Network

It is around October 10 that comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will approach Earth at approximately 70 million kilometers, after a journey of several million years. According to experts, the comet was born in the Oort cloud, a huge cluster of small planets and celestial bodies at the borders of the solar system.

Exceptional brightness expected

Since its discovery in 2023, astronomers around the world have been impatiently awaiting this moment and carefully analyzing its path towards the Sun. Some even call it the “comet of the century” since its luminosity could be a hundred times stronger than that of other comets of the 21st century and thus surpass the brilliance of comet C/2020 F3 or comet NEOWISE in the summer of 2020.

Anatomy of a comet

Comets have three parts: the core, which is made of ice and dust, the hair which is the bright atmosphere around it, and the tails, which form with gases and dust the closer the comet gets to the Sun. In the past, comets that passed closest to the Sun developed the most impressive and brightest tails.

A decisive moment

Its passage near the Sun will be critical for the future since during this approach, the ice present in its core sublimates, thus releasing a long trail of dust which reflects the Sun’s light. On the other hand, in some cases, the nucleus of the comet does not survive. Intense heat and gravitational forces can cause the core to disintegrate, leading to loss of material and a decrease in brightness.

A breathtaking astronomical spectacle!

Until now, it was mainly visible in the Southern Hemisphere, leaving the North a little hungry. However, from mid-October, all you have to do is look towards the setting sun to finally enjoy the show. If the sky is clear, the comet could shine as brightly as Venus.

In the best scenario, it will be possible to observe it with the naked eye, but it will be even more spectacular with binoculars or a telescope.