A preliminary analysis of its trajectory indicates that the comet from the Oort cloud completes the orbit. the sun Every 80,660 years. He Comet of the century It is so named because astronomers consider it “potentially spectacular” because of its path and orbit. Its tail shines behind.
This Kite It was discovered in 2023, but its path in late September and early October 2024 As it moves towards the Sun, its temperature increases. It evaporates the snow and releases a powder that looks like a long, shiny tail.
When will the comet of the century be visible in Argentina?
According to Star Walk, the comet A3 Tsuchinshan AtlasPopularly known as the comet of the century, it can be seen all over the world, but its visibility will be highest in the southern hemisphere of the Earth, which includes countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chili, Brazil, Republic Democracy of Congo And Indonesia.
The closest approach to the Sun will be on September 28, 2024 and will be visible on Earth from October 13 to 24: it can be seen with the naked eye or with binoculars. On October 13, Comet of the century It will be at its brightest point, so you can observe it from different points at dusk, or you can follow its path on the website. star walk.
After approaching the Sun, the comet orbits close to Earth. By the end of November, it will gradually lose its brightness as it begins to move away from our planet. Although there is no exact time to observe this astronomical phenomenon, it is recommended to try to see it early in the morning: 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM.
What is the comet of the century and why is it so special?
He Comet of the century It was discovered on January 9, 2023, which is why its name begins with the letter “A” and the number 3 is just that. The third space object of this type was discovered during that period. The Tsuchinschan Atlas is a tribute to the Purple Mountain Observatory (Jijinshan Astronomical Observatory) and the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
Currently, the comet is between orbits Thursday And tuesday to do The approximate speed is 180,610 miles per hour (290,664 km/h), about 80.74 km per second, relative to Earth.
These types of comets are mainly composed of ice, dust, and rock, and as they approach the Sun, the heat causes a kind of sublimation of the materials that make them up, creating a diffuse atmosphere and a tail. See it from Earth.
This is the reason why it is called the comet of the century Exceptional brightness, in addition to other notable features. Comets that pass close to the Sun have very impressive tails, and this is the case with the Comet of the Century.
Recommendations for Observing the Comet of the Century
This comet can be seen with the naked eye Argentina In October, when it passes closer to the Earth, there are certain practices that can be carried out to better enjoy this unique astronomical event.
The first thing that can be done Look for places that can greatly appreciate the sky, In order not to miss a single detail of this comet, it is recommended to visit Open spaces.
Another impactful detail Pollution And this Climate From where you want to see the comet of the century, you may not be able to fully experience the event unless the conditions are optimal for that day.
