Get ready for a rare astronomical event! Comet G3 ATLAS (C/2024) is set to make its closest approach to the Sun in mid-January, offering skywatchers a chance to spot one of the brightest comets in 20 years.
Discovered last April by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), the comet was named after its discovery method. Since then, it has been tracked with hopes that it would outshine our stars.
Astronomers predict that Comet G3 ATLAS will be visible from parts of Earth throughout January. On January 13, the comet is expected to reach perihelion (its closest point to the Sun), coming within approximately 8.3 million miles of the Sun. It’s also predicted to reach its closest point to Earth on the same day, radiating an expected magnitude of -4.5.
The comet will be visible in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but skywatchers in the latter hemisphere have a better chance at spotting it. In the Northern Hemisphere, the comet is expected to appear extremely low in the southwestern sky from January 15 to January 18.
To spot Comet G3 ATLAS, using binoculars or a telescope is recommended, as opposed to simply looking through the naked eye. Clear skies and minimal light pollution are also essential for spotting the comet.
The comet’s rare appearance means it won’t be back for millenniums. With this opportunity, skywatchers can catch a glimpse of this spectacular event.
Source: https://people.com/how-to-watch-a-once-in-160000-year-comet-brighter-than-venus-8772399