Star observation days: Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas about Austria

Star observation days: Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas about Austria

An exciting astronomical event is imminent, because the comet "Tsuchinshan-Atlas" will soon be visible in the evening sky. Scientists from Geosphere Austria forecast have predicted that on Saturday a weather front from the west, which could possibly hinder the view of the comets. Nevertheless, there is hope that in southern and Eastern Austria there will still be some clear views of the Himmel phenomenon. From Monday there are chances of a good observation, provided that fog fields do not get in the way.

"Tsuchinshan-Atlas" was discovered in early 2023 by observatories in China and South Africa. The comet comes from the Oortschen Wolke, an area of the solar system that houses a variety of small, icy bodies. This comet has a highly ellipse -describing path around the sun. On September 27, 2023, he reached his sunday, the Perihel, but was not yet visible in Central Europe.

comet observations in the southern hemisphere

The first spectacular pictures of the comet come from the southern hemisphere, where the comet was already visible. Michael Jäger, a comet expert and chairman of the Astronomical Center Martinsberg in Lower Austria, explained that the comet developed as expected - both in terms of its brightness and its appearance. He reported on his observations in Namibia, where the comet was as bright as the brightest stars and an impressive tail, which measure more than 20 degrees in the sky.

Jäger assumes that the comet in the clear sky will be seen from the evening of October 12 above the western horizon as an object of the second highest brightness class (the so -called 2nd size class), which means that it could be about as bright as the Polarstern. Alexander Pikhard from the Vienna Working Group for Astronomy (WAA) added that "Tsuchinshan-Atlas" could be visible with the naked eye. However, in order to achieve the best results when finding the comet at dusk, Pikhard also recommends using a binoculars, since the comet will soon become too weak to see it without aids.

observation even in advance

The astronomical center Martinsberg invites you to observe the comet from next Saturday, provided the weather plays along. The WAA also plans to offer observation evenings at the Vienna Sophienalpe in Penzing under suitable weather conditions. This gives numerous amateur astronomers and interested parties the opportunity to experience this heavenly spectacle together.

The preparations are in full corridor and curiosity grows. If you are interested in astronomy and would like to take the chance to see the comet "Tsuchinshan-Atlas" in the sky, you should not miss the coming days. Detailed reports are available for further information, such as to read here .