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On Saturday, Eddie Irizarry from the Caribbean Astronomical Society announced that comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently visible to the naked eye.
The astronomical event shines brightest and is best seen on the eastern skyline between 5:15 and 5:25 a.m.
“After you find it, you’ll notice that the comet and its tail can actually be seen with the naked eye,” Irizarry remarked in a written statement.
“Comets that are comparatively close are more effectively observed through binoculars,” Irizarry added. “During our observations, we found that comet A3 exhibits a tail extending at least three degrees.”
Comet A3 orbits at a distance from the sun akin to Mercury’s path. Its proximity to the sun leads to the release of dust and ice, resulting in the visible tail observed in the mornings.
Irizarry pointed out that the comet originates from the Oort cloud. While it was initially thought its orbit spanned 80,000 years, recent observations hint at a hyperbolic trajectory, suggesting this may be its first approach to the Sun.
For those lacking telescopes or binoculars, he recommends using a smartphone camera.
“You can take pictures between 5:15 and 5:25 in the morning,” Irizarry advised. “It’s crucial to keep it steady to prevent blurry images.”
Comet A3 is predicted to remain visible through Tuesday or Wednesday and will reemerge in the evenings on Oct. 12-14, potentially becoming the year’s brightest comet if it continues to intensify.
