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The Comet Tsuchinshan Atlas: Spectacular view in the evening sky
Find out how you can best observe the comet "C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas" in Austria from October 12th. Visibility tips and perfect conditions for star lovers!
The Comet Tsuchinshan Atlas: Spectacular view in the evening sky
A fascinating spectacle in the night sky is about to occur: The comet “C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas” will soon be visible in Austria. This comet has an impressively long tail and was initially discovered in early 2023 by observatories in China and South Africa.
The comet orbits the sun in an extremely elongated orbit and is part of the Oort cloud, an area full of celestial bodies in the outer parts of our solar system. Experts explain that the comet reached its closest point to the Sun, perihelion, on September 27th, but at that time it was not yet visible from Central Europe. However, it could already be observed in the southern hemisphere.
Observation period and weather conditions
The best chance of seeing the comet will be next weekend. On Saturday, October 12, conditions will be ideal for looking west at dusk, where the comet should appear. However, this depends heavily on the weather conditions. The weather forecast promises promising conditions for southern and eastern Austria.
The comet experts state that the comet should be visible as a second magnitude object under clear skies; this means it will be as bright as the North Star. Michael Jäger, an experienced astronomer, has already observed from Namibia that the comet was almost as bright as the brightest stars in the sky, with a tail of more than 20 degrees.
The comet could remain visible to the naked eye for about a week. After this time it will probably be necessary to use binoculars to see it as it may become fainter. But in the first few days after its appearance, it is recommended to take binoculars with you to make it easier to find it at dusk.
The Vienna Working Group for Astronomy (WAA) is planning to organize observation evenings so that people can follow the comet together, provided the weather conditions are favorable. Those particularly interested should stop by Martinsberg next Saturday so as not to miss the celestial event.
In summary, “C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan Atlas” represents a remarkable astronomical event that offers many people the opportunity to experience something unique and feel the fascinating character of the universe up close. Details and further information can be found here.