Comet to Make Closest Approach to Earth Since the Stone Age

Last observed during the Stone Age, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–Atlas) is making a dramatic return to Earth’s skies since its discovery last year, The Guardian reported. This celestial object, believed to orbit the sun every 80,000 years, captured the attention of astronomers with its highly elongated path.

Dr. Gregory Brown from the Royal Observatory Greenwich noted that the comet likely originated in the Oort cloud – a vast, spherical region beyond Neptune filled with icy remnants from the solar system's formation. After completing a recent close approach to the sun, it is anticipated to make its closest approach to Earth around October 13.

"The brightness of comets increases when they are closer to Earth and the sun," said Brown, adding that the best time to observe could be around October 9, just before and after it passes almost directly between Earth and the sun.

Despite challenges in predicting its exact brightness, Brown suggests the comet might already be visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions. Viewers in both the northern and southern hemispheres can catch a glimpse of the comet by looking east before sunrise towards the constellation Sextans.

Around mid-October, stargazers should direct their gaze west towards Boötes after sunset for the best night-time views. The comet might appear as a faint smudge to the naked eye, though a binocular or small telescope can reveal its tail.

Even if the display isn't as brilliant as anticipated, observing this comet provides a unique opportunity to witness a spectacle unseen since Neanderthals roamed the Earth, illustrating the timeless awe that celestial events inspire.

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