The Tsuchinshan–ATLAS Object Has Confused Astronomers Approaching Earth.
According to Space.com, the object named C/2023 A3, or Tsuchinshan–ATLAS, was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on February 22, 2023.
Tsuchinshan–ATLAS appeared in the Virgo constellation last May but was too distant to be observed without telescopes – (Photo: SPACE)
Initially, Tsuchinshan–ATLAS was thought to be an asteroid, but further analysis of detailed images taken by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in eastern Nanjing, China, revealed it is a comet.
It is now approaching the central region of the Solar System, getting closer to Earth.
The Tsuchinshan–ATLAS comet has intrigued astronomers as its orbital eccentricity suggests it is an unprecedented visitor from the Oort Cloud, a massive ring-like structure filled with icy objects located at the edge of the Solar System.
This mysterious object is predicted to become unusually bright in the sky as it flies closer to Earth.
It may be easily visible to the naked eye, with brightness comparable to that of Venus, often referred to as the Morning Star or Evening Star.
Starting from late July, Tsuchinshan–ATLAS will begin to shine in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.
Those living in far southern locations, such as Australia, New Zealand, and South America, will be able to watch it start to “compete” with Venus in the dawn sky, just before sunrise.
On October 8, 2024, this comet will reach its maximum brightness, equivalent to that of Venus.
The perihelion of this special object is on September 27, while two weeks later, on October 12, it will come closest to Earth at a distance of approximately 71 million kilometers.
During this period, the comet could brighten to a level of magnitude two or even potentially level one on the comet brightness scale, possibly developing a noticeable tail that could create a stunning sight in the western evening sky.
