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Here's how to view this long-period comet before it begins to fade

Posted on by Kennedy
Here's how to view this long-period comet before it begins to fade

It's not a bird, it's not a plane – it's a comet.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan ATLAS), to be precise.

Florida State University freshman and astrophysics major Asher Cicco caught a glimpse of the once-every-80,000-year celestial beam, which will be visible to the naked eye for the next few weeks before it begins to fade.

“We decided to look at it over the water because there's not a lot of light pollution there,” Cicco, 19, a Pinellas County native, told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday. He saw the comet Sunday evening on the St. Joseph Peninsula with the Tallahassee Astronomical Society.

“I just thought it was great and it gives you a different perspective on the universe.”

Related news: A bright comet will soon be visible in the northern sky. This is how you see it.

While the comet – a frozen remnant of dust, rock and ice from the origins of the solar system, according to NASA – reached its greatest brightness on September 27 at a distance of about 36.4 million miles from the sun, the best views of the comet are available from Earth early until mid-October, depending on the weather. It rises from the western horizon and is visible in the southwestern sky at nightfall.

C/2023 A3 has generated excitement among astronomers and amateur sky watchers because it is a long-period comet that takes more than 200 years to orbit the Sun – in the case of this comet, 80,000 years – compared to short-period comets, which normally take less than 200 years.

That means anyone who misses C/2023 A3 this time won't have a chance to see it again.

Cicco, who used a telescope on loan from the Leroy Collins Leon County Main Public Library to get a better look at the comet, described the unique occurrence as a “beautiful” vertical streak.

“When we first saw it, there was just a very faint streak in the sky, but as it got darker and darker outside, it got brighter and brighter,” Cicco said.

This is how you see the comet

The comet's closest approach to Earth occurred on October 11 or 12, and as it rises higher in the sky each night, it slowly disappears from view. But there is still time to take a look.

According to SkyandTelescope.com, C/2023 A3 will disappear from view starting November 7th.

Suggestions for the best visibility include finding a dark place, staying away from city light pollution, and looking for higher places. Cicco says local recommendations for comet viewing include Cedar Hill Landing Park and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

He also recommends enjoying the best views between 7:50 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., just after sunset in the evening.

Although C/2023 A3 is visible to the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope might also be useful. Telescopes are available to the public to borrow at the Leroy Collins Leon County Main Public Library.

“This is a once in a lifetime event,” Cicco said. “Check it out as soon as possible.”

Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

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