Stargazing in October: The comet is coming!
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Stargazing in October: The comet is coming!

The Independent  

Next week look out for the most spectacular sky-sight of the year, as Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS hangs like a glowing dagger in our western skies after the Sun has set – the most spectacular cometary visitor for northern climes since Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. Its orbit shows that Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS was last near the Sun – and visible from the Earth – over 80,000 years ago, around the time that humans left Africa. Though the comet has so far been best seen from the southern hemisphere, that’s all set to change as Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS speeds past the Earth on 12 October, at a distance of 71 million km. The comet sets before the time of my usual monthly starchart, so I’m dropping in a – perhaps rather optimistic – chart of the horizon view on 12 October. 5 October: Moon near Venus 7 October: Moon near Antares 10 September: Moon near Antares 10 October, 7.55pm: First Quarter Moon 12 October: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS nearest the Earth 14 October: Moon near Saturn 17 October, 12.26pm: Full Moon; supermoon 19 October, 7.30pm to 10.30pm: Moon occults the Pleiades 20 October: Moon near Jupiter 21 October: Moon near Jupiter; maximum of Orionid meteor shower 23 October: Moon near Mars, Castor and Pollux 24 October, 9.03am: Last Quarter Moon 27 October: BST ends Nigel Henbest’s ‘Stargazing 2025’ is your monthly guide to everything happening in the night sky next year

Stars Comet Earth Sun Moon Full Moon Near Venus Jupiter 12 October Comet Tsuchinshan Pleiades Nigel Henbest Saturn Night Sky  moon  stargazing  dust  stars  comet  tsuchinshanatlas  near  night  sky  venus  planet  coming

History of this topic

Incredibly rare sight to leave Australian skies for the next 800,000 years: 'It's amazing to see'
2 months, 1 week ago

Incredibly rare sight to leave Australian skies for the next 800,000 years: 'It's amazing to see'

Daily Mail  

Stargazers can glimpse a sight 160,000 years in the making in the night skies across Australia this week as a rare comet passes by. The G3 Atlas comet has returned to southern hemisphere skies for a once-in-a-lifetime show and a few lucky Aussies have already snapped pictures of the spectacular sight. G3 Atlas is one of the brightest comets to …

Brightest comet in 20 years to appear this week
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Brightest comet in 20 years to appear this week

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A comet that orbits the Sun every 160,000 years will appear in the …

Once-In-160,000-Year Comet To Be Visible Tonight. When And Where To Watch
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Once-In-160,000-Year Comet To Be Visible Tonight. When And Where To Watch

ABP News  

In the rare celestial event, occurring once every 160,000 years, the Comet G3 ATLAS is likely to reach its peak brightness within 8.7 million miles of the Sun at its perihelion. This surge has sparked predictions that the comet could surpass the brightness of planets like Venus and Jupiter, potentially becoming the brightest comet observed in nearly two decades. Comet …

Comet that orbits the Sun once in 1,60,000 years will be visible from Earth
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Comet that orbits the Sun once in 1,60,000 years will be visible from Earth

India Today  

The brightest comet in nearly two decades, Comet G3 ATLAS, is set to reach its peak brilliance later this week, raising excitement among skywatchers. Discovered on April 5, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Chile, Comet G3 ATLAS was initially faint, shining at a magnitude of +19—about 1,58,000 times dimmer than the faintest stars visible to the …

Falling asteroid lights up sky in rural Russia, locals see comet-like fireball racing towards Earth
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Falling asteroid lights up sky in rural Russia, locals see comet-like fireball racing towards Earth

Live Mint  

Locals in Russia's remote region of Yakutia witnessed a comet-like fireball falling to the earth early on December 4, according to a Reuters report citing an official statement and scientists' reports on the phenomenon. The asteroid, which burned up the atmosphere and lit up the sky, was visible to residents in the Lensk and Olekminsk districts of Russia's remote eastern …

India's Hanle Observatory Captures Stunning Comet for 80,000 Years
5 months, 1 week ago

India's Hanle Observatory Captures Stunning Comet for 80,000 Years

India Today  

A spectacular celestial display was witnessed in India on October 20, 2024, as Comet C/2023 A3 graced the night sky above Hanle, Ladakh. The comet, visible to the naked eye, was captured in stunning detail by the High Altitude Gamma Ray (HAGAR) telescope. The comet appeared remarkably bright, benefiting from the moonless night and the exceptionally dark skies of Hanle. …

Unveiling the Celestial Enigma: Kerala Observatory Tracks the 'Comet of the Century' C/2023 A3
5 months, 1 week ago

Unveiling the Celestial Enigma: Kerala Observatory Tracks the 'Comet of the Century' C/2023 A3

New Indian Express  

The Kerala University's Astronomical Observatory has tracked the path of the comet C/2023 A3 and recorded some of its unique features. The comet, which has an extremely long orbital period, took roughly 80,000 years to complete one orbit around the sun. It is currently visible in the Orion constellation and is expected to be tracked for the next three days.

Stargazers treated to double spectacle as supermoon pairs with comet
5 months, 1 week ago

Stargazers treated to double spectacle as supermoon pairs with comet

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The third of four supermoons this year, it will be 222,055 miles away Wednesday night, making it …

Comet A3: Astronomer says how to spot ‘comet of the century’ for final time in UK this week
5 months, 1 week ago

Comet A3: Astronomer says how to spot ‘comet of the century’ for final time in UK this week

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People looking for the “comet of the century”, known officially as Comet A3, …

Comet A3: ‘Comet of the century’ that was last viewed 80,000 years ago could be seen tonight
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Comet A3: ‘Comet of the century’ that was last viewed 80,000 years ago could be seen tonight

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A comet that was last viewed by the Neanderthals tens of thousands of …

How to see the ‘comet of the century’ this week
5 months, 2 weeks ago

How to see the ‘comet of the century’ this week

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A comet that visits the solar system every 80,000 years is set to …

Comet last spotted in Neanderthal times to make an extremely rare appearance later this MONTH
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Comet last spotted in Neanderthal times to make an extremely rare appearance later this MONTH

Daily Mail  

Even by the usual standards of stargazing, it is a rare opportunity. Comet C/2023 A3 was last seen when Neanderthals walked the Earth, experts say Now, though, it is set to make its closest approach to Earth, giving stargazers in the UK a good chance of spotting it in the evening - even without the help of binoculars or a …

Comet last seen by Neanderthals could be visible over the weekend
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Comet last seen by Neanderthals could be visible over the weekend

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A comet that was last visible from Earth when Neanderthals were alive could …

Rare comet will be visible to the naked eye Saturday in California
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Rare comet will be visible to the naked eye Saturday in California

LA Times  

Comet C2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is seen low in the sky near the village of Aguas Blancas, Uruguay, at dawn on Sept. 28. And this truly is your only chance to see it; NASA said the comet, dubbed C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, isn’t expected to come within viewing distance again for 80,000 years. NASA officials said the comet made its closest transit …

A rare comet brightens the night skies in October
5 months, 2 weeks ago

A rare comet brightens the night skies in October

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In 2023, a green comet that last visited Earth …

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS puts on a show for Australian astrophotographers
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS puts on a show for Australian astrophotographers

ABC  

A comet travelling at nearly 300,000kph has lit up skies across Australia and will do so again later this month as it hurtles through the solar system. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has been visible to the east across the country at dawn in recent days, drawing astrophotographers out early to capture the stunning sight. Icy tail makes comet stand out Perth Observatory's …

Spectacular moment comet streaks over Golden Gate Bridge at sunset - how to watch the phenomenon later this month
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Spectacular moment comet streaks over Golden Gate Bridge at sunset - how to watch the phenomenon later this month

Daily Mail  

The 'comet of the century' was spotted in San Francisco, California, early Friday morning, and astronomers believe it will make another appearance in October. Comet A3 was seen flying over the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise early Friday morning, and is due to reappear in mid-October The 'comet of the century' is officially known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, named after the …

"Comet of the century" will be visible for first time in 80,000 years. Here's how to glimpse it
6 months ago

"Comet of the century" will be visible for first time in 80,000 years. Here's how to glimpse it

Salon  

The passing of a comet can bring feelings of either dread or wonder. More recently, science fiction movies like "Deep Impact" depict comets the size of Mount Everest on a collision course with Earth, prompting more contemporary characterizations of apocalyptic scenarios. "It should be bright enough to see with the naked eye, kind of starting today through early next week …

‘Brighter than expected’ comet may be visible without telescope this week
6 months ago

‘Brighter than expected’ comet may be visible without telescope this week

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A recently identified comet is growing “brighter than expected” and could be the …

How to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet this week: Bright space rock will be visible without a telescope for the first time in 80,000 YEARS - and you don't want to miss it
6 months ago

How to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet this week: Bright space rock will be visible without a telescope for the first time in 80,000 YEARS - and you don't want to miss it

Daily Mail  

It was last witnessed by some of the first humans to venture out of Africa 80,000 years ago. Comet C/2023 A3 was only discovered early last year, but based on its orbital trajectory scientists estimate that it last passed Earth 80,000 years ago. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who is currently aboard the International Space Station, posted a stunning clip of …

Scientists Predict Rare Naked-Eye Comet May Disintegrate Before Reaching Closest Point To Sun
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Scientists Predict Rare Naked-Eye Comet May Disintegrate Before Reaching Closest Point To Sun

News 18  

Scientists have warned that a rare naked-eye comet may disintegrate before it reaches its closest point to the Sun, according to a recent study. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was discovered in January 2023 by China’s Purple Mountain Observatory and later identified by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in South Africa. However, a recent study led by Czech-American astronomer Zdeněk Sekanina suggests …

Comet that passes Earth once every 71 years now visible in night sky
1 year ago

Comet that passes Earth once every 71 years now visible in night sky

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A comet that passes by the Earth once every 71 years …

Is Halley's Comet returning? Here's what is happening on Sunday
1 year, 5 months ago

Is Halley's Comet returning? Here's what is happening on Sunday

India Today  

The celestial calendar for 2023 is set to offer a spectacular show as the Orionid meteor shower is expected to rain down its greatest number of meteors on the mornings of October 21 and 22. The Orionid meteor shower, an annual phenomenon that lights up the night sky every October, is produced when Earth passes through the debris left behind …

This comet will be visible in September. We won't be around next time it returns
1 year, 6 months ago

This comet will be visible in September. We won't be around next time it returns

India Today  

A newly discovered comet is making its way through our cosmic neighborhood for the first time in over 400 years. Named Comet Nishimura after its discoverer, amateur Japanese astronomer Hideo Nishimura, the kilometer-sized celestial body will pass Earth safely on September 12, at a distance of over 80 million kilometers. Stargazers across the Northern Hemisphere are encouraged to catch a …

Across the Northern Hemisphere, now’s the time to catch a new comet before it vanishes for 400 years
1 year, 6 months ago

Across the Northern Hemisphere, now’s the time to catch a new comet before it vanishes for 400 years

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A newly discovered comet is swinging through our cosmic neighborhood for the first time in more than 400 years. Stargazers across the Northern Hemisphere should catch a glimpse as soon as possible — either this week or early next — because it will be another 400 years before the wandering ice ball returns. “So you really …

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars
2 years ago

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars

The Hindu  

Hot on the heels of the disappointing Green Comet, astronomers have just discovered a new comet with the potential to be next year’s big story – C/2023 A3. Introducing comet C/2023 A3 Every year, a few dozen new comets are discovered – dirty snowballs moving on highly elongated paths around the Sun. Astronomers promised the public “the comet of the …

Comet not seen since humans first left Africa 80,000 years ago is making a return trip to Earth
2 years ago

Comet not seen since humans first left Africa 80,000 years ago is making a return trip to Earth

Daily Mail  

A comet not seen since ancient humans first ventured out of Africa 80,000 years ago is on a return path toward Earth - and it should be visible to the naked eye. While not much is known about the comet, data shows it is a 'very large object' that should safely soar around the sun before being visible to the …

India's highest telescope captures comet that last came to Earth 50,000 years ago
2 years, 2 months ago

India's highest telescope captures comet that last came to Earth 50,000 years ago

India Today  

The Himalayan Chandra Telescope on the foothills of Mount Saraswati in Ladakh's Hanle has captured the first images of a newly discovered comet that last arrived in the skies above Earth about 60,000 years ago. Astronomers expect that the comet will be visible in the skies above Earth in the early week of February and could be seen with the …

Stargazers will have a chance to see a new comet at the end of January
2 years, 2 months ago

Stargazers will have a chance to see a new comet at the end of January

Daily Mail  

It's not often that stargazers get the opportunity to spot a comet with the naked eye. C/2022 E3 was discovered in March last year while inside Jupiter's orbit, and will make its closest approach to the sun on January 12 and Earth on February 2. C/2022 E3, which was discovered in March last year while inside Jupiter's orbit, will make …

Nasa’s shares image of most distant in-bound comet ever found
2 years, 8 months ago

Nasa’s shares image of most distant in-bound comet ever found

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Amateur astronomer Jose Chambo captured an image of comet C/2017 K2 on 20 June, which is now …

Stargazing in December: The Christmas comet is coming!
3 years, 3 months ago

Stargazing in December: The Christmas comet is coming!

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Comet Leonard flies past Venus at only 4 million kilometres – a hair’s breadth on …

Shooting stars could be easy to spot this week with a break in the clouds
4 years, 8 months ago

Shooting stars could be easy to spot this week with a break in the clouds

NL Times  

The night skies will be filled with shooting stars in the coming week, with as many as 23 appearing per hour, according to Weeronline. Avid sky watchers may want to head outdoors between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. when skies will be at their darkest, with the quarter moon at its most visible at the beginning of the night through …

Gushed at NEOWISE Comet Photos? Here's How You Can Click Your Own in India
4 years, 8 months ago

Gushed at NEOWISE Comet Photos? Here's How You Can Click Your Own in India

News 18  

Celestial events have always fascinated humans. NEOWISE has been named after NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, the space telescope that first observed the comet in March. As the next couple of days progress, it will get higher in the evening sky, so you're going to want to look northwest right under the Big Dipper," reported space.com quoting Joe …

Comet streaking past Earth, providing spectacular show
4 years, 8 months ago

Comet streaking past Earth, providing spectacular show

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A newly discovered comet is streaking past Earth, providing a stunning nighttime show after buzzing the sun and expanding its tail. Comet Neowise — the brightest comet visible from the Northern Hemisphere in a quarter-century — swept within Mercury’s orbit a week ago. It will be about 7,000 years before the comet returns, “so I wouldn’t …

Newly-discovered comet Atlas could shine as bright as the MOON
5 years ago

Newly-discovered comet Atlas could shine as bright as the MOON

Daily Mail  

A comet called Atlas, discovered in December, is on its way towards Earth and could appear as bright as a crescent moon - unless it breaks up from the Sun's heat first. Seeing a comet with the naked eye would be a rare event for astronomers - the last bright comet visible without a telescope in the northern hemisphere was …

New comet likely visitor from another solar system
5 years, 6 months ago

New comet likely visitor from another solar system

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The solar system may have another foreign guest. Both NASA and the European Space Agency are reporting that a newly discovered comet zooming toward the sun is likely from another star. Astronomers said Thursday it’s traveling 93,000 mph, so fast it likely originated outside our solar system. “We are now working on getting more observations of …

Stargazers to witness yet another celestial treat as brightest comet to pass by Earth today
6 years, 3 months ago

Stargazers to witness yet another celestial treat as brightest comet to pass by Earth today

India TV News  

Stargazers are in for a treat as the “brightest comet” is set to make one of the 10 closest comet flybys of Earth in 70 years, and one may even be able to see it without a telescope on Sunday, NASA said. Comet Wirtanen has already been visible in larger amateur telescopes, and while the brightness of comets is notoriously …

Brightest Comet set to make one of the closest flybys of Earth on 16 December
6 years, 3 months ago

Brightest Comet set to make one of the closest flybys of Earth on 16 December

Firstpost  

This will be one of the 10 closest comet flybys of Earth in 70 years. Stargazers are in for a treat as the “brightest comet” is set to make one of the 10 closest comet flybys of Earth in 70 years, and one may even be able to see it without a telescope on Sunday, NASA said. Comet Wirtanen has …

Stargazing December: Comet Wirtanen climbs the night sky
6 years, 3 months ago

Stargazing December: Comet Wirtanen climbs the night sky

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery The night sky at around 10pm this month Comet Wirtanen is a member …

Forget the ball drop, ring in the New Year with a COMET sighting! 'Bluish-green' object will fly next to the moon on Saturday night
8 years, 2 months ago

Forget the ball drop, ring in the New Year with a COMET sighting! 'Bluish-green' object will fly next to the moon on Saturday night

Daily Mail  

A comet is set to pass by Earth on December 31, lighting the night sky with natural ‘fireworks’ as the world rings in the New Year. This comet makes its way back to the inner solar system roughly every 5 years, and has a bright bluish-green ‘head.’ Scroll down for video A comet is set to pass by Earth on …

Rosetta's comet in amazing detail
10 years, 2 months ago

Rosetta's comet in amazing detail

Daily Mail  

Scientists will be hoping for more photo opportunities when the closest approach to the sun is made in August In total 70 per cent of the comet's surface has now been imaged, with the rest still shrouded in darkness A series of stunning images have been released showing Rosetta’s comet in unprecedented detail, revealing cracks on the surface, evidence of …

Halley's Comet return: Keep your eyes peeled for a cosmic fireworks display later this month
10 years, 5 months ago

Halley's Comet return: Keep your eyes peeled for a cosmic fireworks display later this month

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Halley’s Comet makes a return to our skies this month – …

Rosetta takes image of its solar wings and Comet 67P
10 years, 6 months ago

Rosetta takes image of its solar wings and Comet 67P

Daily Mail  

But map shows the comet's surface is more uneven than first thought 5 landing sites, which appeared to be flat, were chosen last month Rosetta has taken an incredible selfie of its 131ft solar wings gleaming against the darkness of space. The map was used to help researchers pick a suitable place to drop a lander in November The map …

Rosetta image reveals it's closer than ever to icy comet just 1,200 miles away
10 years, 7 months ago

Rosetta image reveals it's closer than ever to icy comet just 1,200 miles away

Daily Mail  

Just a SPACE stone's throw away! Rosetta image reveals that it is closer than ever to its icy comet at just 1,200 miles away One image shows the coma, which is the dust and gas envelope that grows around its nucleus as the comet moves along its orbit closer to the sun Another reveals that the comet is far more …

Sky gazers in Vijayawada can spot ISON comet
11 years, 4 months ago

Sky gazers in Vijayawada can spot ISON comet

The Hindu  

Here is a chance for you all to see a bright comet on the eastern horizon of the city one hour before sunrise. An amateur astronomer, K. Radha Krishna, who developed the hobby in 1980, watches several interesting things in the sky with the help of a telescope from his terrace near Hanuman Temple on Eluru Road in Vijayawada. “While …

Dazzling 'comet of the century' is still intact! Icy ball 15 times brighter than the moon might be visible in December IF it survives
11 years, 5 months ago

Dazzling 'comet of the century' is still intact! Icy ball 15 times brighter than the moon might be visible in December IF it survives

Daily Mail  

Dazzling 'comet of the century' is still intact! Icy ball 15 times brighter than the moon might be visible in December - IF it survives There were fears that Comet ISON, which promised to be visible from Earth in broad daylight later this year, had fizzled out But an image from the Hubble Telescope has confirmed the nucleus of the …

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013
12 years, 6 months ago

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013

Daily Mail  

Comet 'shining 15 times brighter than moon' will fly by our planet in 2013 They are one of the most spectacular views a human could hope to see - and next year a comet which could outshine the moon is due to fly by the Earth. Comet ISON is visiting the inner solar system and is set to put on …

NASA craft prepares for Valentine's Day date with comet Tempel 1
14 years, 2 months ago

NASA craft prepares for Valentine's Day date with comet Tempel 1

The Hindu  

NASA’s spacecraft Stardust-NexT is preparing for a date on Valentine’s Day with comet Tempel 1 at 11:37 p.m. EST. Going back for another look at Tempel 1 will provide new insights on how comets work and how they were put together four-and-a-half billion years ago,” said Joe Veverka, Stardust-NExT principal investigator at Cornell University. In January 2007, NASA re-christened the …

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