Get ready for a celestial spectacle! C/2023 A3, dubbed the “comet of the century,” is set to dazzle our skies in September and October 2024. This exceptionally bright comet is expected to shine like Halley’s comet in 1986 or NEOWISE in 2020.
Comets are balls of frozen gases, rocks, and dust that orbit the sun. Two physical phenomena make them spectacular: the tail and coma. The tail forms as solar radiation vaporizes the comet’s material, blowing gas and dust away from its nucleus and reflecting sunlight. As the comet approaches the sun, its tail grows in size.
The coma is an envelope of sublimated ice that forms around the nucleus due to solar radiation. This enhances the comet’s brightness.
What’s the best day to see the comet? According to Cometography, C/2023 A3 will shine brightest on October 2, with a long and spectacular tail due to its proximity to the sun.
When can you spot it? The comet will be visible near the horizon in the path of the sun, just before sunrise. Look for it between 5 am and 7 am from September 27 onwards across the northern hemisphere.
As October progresses, the comet will rise higher in the sky but lose brightness. Since Tsuchinshan–ATLAS is a long-orbiting body, it won’t appear again for tens of thousands of years.
To observe this celestial event, follow NASA’s three basic tips: avoid light-polluted areas, seek elevated sites, and arrive well-sheltered at the observation point. If all goes well, the comet will be visible to the naked eye, appearing as a large body with a long tail that won’t move during sunrise.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-view-the-comet-of-the-century-c-2023-a3-tsuchinshan-atlas/