Once in a lifetime comet visible over Philippine sky this week — PAGASA

RARE SIGHTING. The state weather bureau shares a photo of the Tsuchinshan–ATLAS or Comet C/2023 A3 as it passes through the Philippine night sky on Wednesday (Oct. 16, 2024). Skywatchers are encouraged to spot the comet over the western sky after sunset this week as it won’t be back for another 80,000 years. (Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA)

By Brian Campued

Heads up, astrophiles! Don’t forget this rare opportunity to look up at the night sky to witness the Tsuchinshan–ATLAS comet as it passes through the Earth this week.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Tsuchinshan–ATLAS or Comet C/2023 A3 will be visible toward the western sky after sunset or around 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

“You won’t get another chance for a long, long time. This comet won’t be back for another 80,000 years!” PAGASA said in a Facebook post Wednesday night.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) describes comets as frozen snowballs composed of dust, rock, and ice. These glowing space voyagers get their prominent fireball and tail appearance as they orbit closer to the sun, causing their heads to heat up and their bodies to stretch millions of miles away from the sun.

COSMIC TREAT. Crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) observe the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet on its journey through the inner solar system on Sept. 19, 2024. (Photo courtesy of NASA/Expedition 71 Crew)

Meaning “Purple Mountain”, the Tsuchinshan–ATLAS comet shares its namesake with a Chinese observatory and the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in South Africa which first detected the celestial body last year.

Meanwhile, NASA said the comet will be most visible to the naked eye until Oct. 24.

So, if you’re going comet hunting tonight, make sure to choose a dark vantage point with a clear view of the horizon and away from artificial sources of light. Enjoy the view, skywatchers!

—iro

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