Attention, stargazers! You won’t want to miss one of the year’s most anticipated comets – it might not swing by again for millions of years! It’s expected to be visible to the naked eye, so get ready for a spectacular sight!
One of the year’s most anticipated comets, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), is set to make an appearance in Hungary in mid-October. Be sure to take advantage of the clear October nights to catch a glimpse of this celestial traveller – it might not return for millions of years! The comet will first light up the evening sky on October 11th, shortly after sunset, although spotting it might be tricky due to its proximity to the Sun. But don't worry; over the following days, it will climb higher in the western sky. It's expected to be visible to the naked eye, but binoculars will help you see it more clearly. Look toward the western sky at around 6:40 pm – bright Venus will be your trusty guide, just look slightly below it, about 29 degrees to the west.
Luckily, over the following days, the year's brightest comet will climb higher in the sky, making it easier to spot each night. By Tuesday, October 15th, it will be at a more comfortable altitude of 14 degrees at 7 pm, situated in the Serpens constellation. You'll have a good chance of seeing it, as it won't lose much brightness compared to the previous days. By Friday, October 18th, it will rise even higher, reaching 21 degrees at 7 pm in the western sky. The best night for observation will likely be Sunday, October 20th. At 7 pm, it will be in an ideal position and easy to locate, as it will be in conjunction with the star Marfik in the Ophiuchus constellation. This celestial pair will remain visible until about 9:30 pm, before sinking into the low-horizon haze.
To celebrate this unique celestial phenomenon, Svábhegy Observatory is hosting several comet-watching events, you can check them out and register here.
(Forrás: Svábhegyi Csillagvizsgáló, borítókép: Pete Saloutos - Getty Images)
