Comet ushered in the best observation period, visible to the naked eye and photographed with mobile phones_2

On September 28, astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured a stunning image of comet C/2023 A3 (Zijinshan-ATLAS). For astronomy enthusiasts, the end of this month promises an extraordinary celestial event, as this comet makes its appearance in the northern hemisphere’s night sky. After sunset, it will grace the low western horizon, offering a rare opportunity to observe it with the naked eye. With an orbital period spanning thousands of years, the next chance to see this comet won’t come around for another 10,000 years. Astronomers in the San Francisco Bay Area are eagerly preparing to seize the best viewing moments.

According to NASA, comet C/2023 A3 was jointly discovered this year by the Zijinshan Observatory in Nanjing, China, and the ATLAS asteroid observation system. This ancient and mysterious comet is believed to originate from the distant Oort Cloud, a vast region of our solar system teeming with interstellar debris and celestial bodies. The Oort Cloud, which contains billions of frozen objects, is so remote that many comet-like entities travel on orbits that take thousands or even tens of thousands of years to approach Earth. The orbital period of this comet is particularly lengthy, taking approximately 60,000 to 80,000 years to complete a single orbit around the sun, making it one of the most anticipated comets of 2024.

Starting October 12, comet C/2023 A3 has emerged as an evening star shortly after sunset in the northern hemisphere, positioned very low in the western sky near the constellation Virgo. Its brightness has reached negative magnitudes, creating an ideal opportunity for observation. Many astronomy enthusiasts in the Bay Area have already sighted the comet traversing the sky with the naked eye and have even managed to capture images using just their smartphones.

From October 13 to 14, while the comet’s brightness gradually diminished to magnitudes between 0 and 1, it became slightly easier to observe due to its distance from the sun. On October 15, the comet will be positioned very close to the M5 globular cluster, offering photographers an excellent shooting opportunity. Additionally, a phenomenon known as the anti-tail may appear, characterized by a bright streak pointing towards the sun, opposite to the direction of the comet’s traditional tail.

Scientists note that as time progresses, the comet’s brightness will continue to decrease. From October 20 to 31, it is expected to drop from magnitude 4.5 to around 7, during which time the comet’s tail will become noticeably longer. For those eager to catch a glimpse of this celestial beauty, NASA recommends finding an open location away from city lights for the best chance at spotting the comet after sunset. Using binoculars or small telescopes can enhance the viewing experience, and those looking to capture clearer images are encouraged to utilize the long exposure function on their cameras.