A rare comet, ATLAS (C/2024) G3, is expected to dazzle the skies of the Southern Hemisphere in mid-January. Here’s what skywatchers need to know about this “New Year comet.”
Comet ATLAS G3 is set to reach its closest point to the sun on January 13, 2025, at just 8.3 million miles away from our planet. This close encounter makes its survival questionable, but its orbital path suggests it may have visited the inner solar system around 160,000 years ago, increasing its chances of surviving.
If it does make it through perihelion unscathed, Comet ATLAS G3 is expected to shine bright as Venus in January 2025. However, observers in the Southern Hemisphere will need to take precautions due to its close proximity to the sun, which may cause damage to telescopes and other observing equipment.
The comet’s perihelion will be visible in the constellation Sagittarius. Skywatchers in the region can expect it to appear in the west after sunset from January 13 onwards. However, moonlight interference is expected around this time, making observations challenging.
Comet ATLAS G3 was discovered on April 5, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) system of telescopes, and it originates from the Oort Cloud, a region of comets that surrounds our solar system.
As Comet ATLAS G3 approaches perihelion, astronomers warn that observing it could be hazardous. Only experienced observers should attempt to view this comet due to its close proximity to the sun and potential risks associated with it.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/comets/rare-comet-could-shine-bright-as-venus-as-it-falls-toward-the-sun-what-to-expect-from-comet-atlas-c-2024-g3