Watch the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas from October 12th!

Watch the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas from October 12th!

The comet "Tsuchinshan-Atlas"-with the scientific name C/2023 A3-stands for a fascinating heavenly event that will also be observed in our latitudes from October 12th. While he has already appeared in full splendor in the southern hemisphere, those interested in Astronomy await his appearance in this country. According to Michael Jäger, an expert and chairman of the Astronomical Center Martinsberg in Lower Austria, the comet is developing promising and has already been photographed in Namibia. Jäger emphasizes the "striking appearance" of the celestial body.

Alexander Pikhard, the head of the Vienna Working Group for Astronomy (WAA), is also positive: the comet adheres to the brightness models calculated in advance and hope for an exciting viewing from mid -October. The comet's first observations come from the telescopes in China and South Africa. Above all, there are already impressive pictures from Australia and New Zealand in circulation that heat the anticipation among hobby astronomers.

a celestial body with a long journey

The Tsuchinshan Atlas is one of the non-periodic comets, which means that it only very rarely gets closer to the earth. It originally comes from the Oortschen Wolke, a mysterious area at the outermost edge of our solar system. Experts compare his brightness with that of the comet "Neowise", which caused a lot of sensation in the summer of 2020.

How bright the comet actually becomes remains exciting prediction. This depends heavily on the amount of gas and dust, which he emits to the sun during his approach. So far, however, it has been shown in accordance with expectations. The WAA is optimistic that the comet will be visible with the naked eye in the first days after its appearance, which is of great importance in view of the clear weather conditions.

observation instructions

If the weather conditions play along, interested sky showers can look west in the evenings. "Even with a free eye, you will be able to see the comet, even if it no longer stands out as clearly as it was in the south a few days ago," said Pikhard. To make it easier to find the comet, it is advised to use binoculars.

in Martinsberg, where the astronomical center is located, there will be regular observation nights in the coming week that anyone interested can visit, provided the weather allows. The WAA is also planning corresponding events at the Vienna Sophienalpe in Penzing so that the curious people can experience the spectacle in the sky together. More details can be found at www.kleine newspaper.at.