London, England – Sky gazers may have a breathtaking sight to look forward to in the upcoming months, as Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is predicted to potentially become visible to the naked eye. Presently only observable through telescopes, the comet is still a considerable distance away from the Sun, leaving room for it to grow brighter. Scientists anticipate that by October, it could rival the luminosity of Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky.
On September 27, the comet will make its closest approach to the Sun, reaching a distance of 58.6 million kilometers (36.4 million miles), comparable to that of Mercury. Subsequently, on October 12, it will pass closest to Earth, approximately 70.6 million kilometers (43.9 million miles) away. Experts suggest that the comet may reach its maximum brightness around this time, potentially outshining all but four stars in the sky, or even approaching the brilliance of Jupiter, falling slightly short of Venus.
If predictions hold true, the comet’s visibility could extend to sunset, providing a convenient opportunity for sky watchers to witness this extraordinary celestial event. Discovered over a year ago by two separate observatories, the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory and the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) South Africa, the comet briefly eluded detection before being traced back through older observations from December 2022. Excitement mounts as anticipation grows for the possibility of a brilliant display in the night sky.