
It’s an exciting week for astronomy news in Seattle. First we were treated to a rare display of the Northern Lights. Now Seattleites have a chance to view what may be the brightest comet of 2024 this weekend.
This comet is called Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (pronounced “Choo-Cheen-Shahn”), or Comet C/2023 A3 for short. It is predicted to be the brightest comet of the year. Multiple media sources have gone so far as to dub it the “comet of the century.” According to space.com, it “could develop a notable tail” and be as brilliant in the night sky as Venus.
That said, comet sightings are never a sure thing. Read on for all the information you need to increase your chances of seeing Comet C/2023 A3 this weekend!
When to see Comet C/2023 A3
The comet is expected to be visible on Saturday, October 12. The best time to look for it is one hour after sunset.
How to see Comet C/2023 A3
Your best bet of seeing the comet is if you’re able to get to a dark vantage spot away from light pollution and look above the western horizon. You may also want to have binoculars handy. We can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to see Comet C/2023 A3 with the naked eye, especially if you’re surrounded by city lights. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, comets can be unpredictable and thus disappointing, but “you’ll see it for sure if you have binoculars and are willing to get to an unblocked viewing spot.”
What exactly is a comet?
Comets are balls of dust, rocks, and frozen gas left over from the formation of stars and planets billions of years ago, whereas asteroids are a combination of metal and rock. Comet C/2023 A3 was originally thought to be an asteroid before it was confirmed to be an incoming comet.
Comets are known for having a brilliant tail that streaks out behind them as they get close to the sun.
Good luck with your comet viewing this Saturday night! We’ll leave you with this quote from comet expert David Levy: “Comets are like cats: they have tails, and they do precisely what they want.”