The universe frequently gives us unforgettable moments, but we are about to experience something that will only happen once in a lifetime, literally. This is the Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas (C/2023 A3), which can be seen from Mexico this October and which means the passage of this meteor through our sky for the first time in thousands of years.
Beyond the fact that the best way to see the Comet of the Century is in a place far from the light pollution of large cities, as well as the use of long-range telescopes or binoculars, there are a series of recommendations and information about Comet Atlas 2024 that can help you see it from Mexico on a particular date.
What is Comet Atlas?
NASA’s definition states that comets are fragments of material originating during the formation of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets, which travel through space and, as they approach the Sun, they heat up and emit visible flashes. About once a year, a comet becomes bright enough to be observable with the naked eye, without the need for astronomical instruments.
Specifically about the Comet of the Century, it is believed to be a remnant of the formation of our solar system, composed of ice, dust and rocks. One of the most striking features of this comet is its brightness, which makes it visible to the naked eye under certain conditions. As it approaches the Sun, its tail becomes more prominent and spectacular.
Most comets have highly elliptical orbits, meaning they spend most of their time in the farthest regions of the solar system. When they get closer to the Sun, their orbit speeds up and they become brighter.
Why is it called the Comet of the Century?
According to the experts who discovered it, Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is visible every 26 thousand years, hence the nickname “Comet of the Century” because it will be the only time that all living beings currently inhabiting the planet will have the possibility of seeing it.
Regarding its name Tsuchinshan-Atlas pays tribute to the Purple Mountain Observatory of China (Tsunchinshan) and the Asteroid Land-impact Last Alert System of South Africa (ATLAS), which played a crucial role in its detection.
In order to see Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas in Mexico, it is important to emphasize that much will depend on the weather conditions on October 12, which is expected to be the best day to see the celestial body, with nighttime being the best time because the tail of dust and ice it generates will be at one of its most intense points.
Another option to see Comet Atlas 2024, if you cannot see it with the naked eye, or do not have binoculars or a telescope that makes it easier for you, is through the broadcast of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, which thanks to a camera installed on its Subaru telescope, located at the summit of Mauna Kea, in Hawaii, allows you to observe the passage of the meteor.
Source: foxsports
