Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

There is supposed to be another comet that will hopefully become visible after the 27th of September. I think I read that it only passes by every 87,000 years so that is why it was only discovered last year.
When I first read about it I seem to remember that if visible, we would see it in the southwest skies just over the horizon after sunset


From space.com

Hopefully, the comet will continue to remain intact and undiminished as it presses closer to the sun, reaching its closest approach on Sept. 27. For several days thereafter, Tsuchinshan-ATLAS might be sighted about 45 minutes before sunrise, very low near the east-southeast horizon, and possibly shining at magnitude +2 (as bright as Polaris the North Star).

But the best show could be reserved for evening skywatchers during the second and third weeks of October as the comet literally vaults upward in the west-southwest sky. We will have more to say in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

 

[CascadeClone]

Doesnt sound like it will be super bright like hale-bopp, but still could be visible and neat in binocs.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Ya but is there an alien spacecraft hiding behind this one?

 

[Turn2]

Doesnt sound like it will be super bright like hale-bopp, but still could be visible and neat in binocs.

Keeping in mind that 19 of 20 comets never live up to the hype, this has the potential to be brighter than Hale-Bopp. If it hits that level it just won't be for nearly as long. Maybe a week or two. My complete shot-in-the-dark guess is that it will be BARELY naked eye visible, during a week in October when Iowa is socked in with clouds.

 

[CascadeClone]

Keeping in mind that 19 of 20 comets never live up to the hype, this has the potential to be brighter than Hale-Bopp. If it hits that level it just won't be for nearly as long. Maybe a week or two. My complete shot-in-the-dark guess is that it will be BARELY naked eye visible, during a week in October when Iowa is socked in with clouds.

I hope so, but Hale Bopp was -1.5 (and large too) and this one has predictions like 0.9, 2, 3, etc. Who knows.

Its kind of neat that there are still things like this that we just have no idea what it is and how it will shake out. Also a bit terrifying. But a reminder there are more things in heaven and earth...

 

[Turn2]

I hope so, but Hale Bopp was -1.5 (and large too) and this one has predictions like 0.9, 2, 3, etc. Who knows.

Its kind of neat that there are still things like this that we just have no idea what it is and how it will shake out. Also a bit terrifying. But a reminder there are more things in heaven and earth...

I've heard a ceiling of around -2.7 if enough forward scattering occurs. But I've seen this movie before. I'd be happy with a Neowise repeat. The Hale-Bopp prominent double tail was a real bonus for astrophotographers.

 

[VeloClone]

Meh, I didn't think this comet was that big of a deal the last time it came around. Not worth losing any sleep...

 

[Jer]

Doesnt sound like it will be super bright like hale-bopp, but still could be visible and neat in binocs.

Do we wear our black gym shoes, purple blankies, and drink our Kool-Aid with this one?

 

[CascadeClone]

Do we wear our black gym shoes, purple blankies, and drink our Kool-Aid with this one?

Never drink the kool-aid. Pro-tip.

 

[Jer]

Never drink the kool-aid. Pro-tip.

Well I've never heard anybody that drank it complain...

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Well I've never heard anybody that drank it complain...

<insert>rimshot gif</insert>

 

[Pope]

There is supposed to be another comet that will hopefully become visible after the 27th of September. I think I read that it only passes by every 87,000 years so that is why it was only discovered last year.
When I first read about it I seem to remember that if visible, we would see it in the southwest skies just over the horizon after sunset


From space.com

So it passes by earth once every 87,000 years?

That's amazing because it happens to be the exact same frequency that Iowa advances to the Sweet 16. Amazing.

 

[Buster28]

Will be on California's north coast (100 miles north of SF) the last week of October, so hoping it might still be visible then. There are no streetlights allowed in this particular settlement, so light pollution is near zero. The house we're renting faces south/southwest with the land sloping down to the ocean, so would be a perfect evening view if it's still putting on any kind of show by then. Fingers crossed.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Will be on California's north coast (100 miles north of SF) the last week of October, so hoping it might still be visible then. There are no streetlights allowed in this particular settlement, so light pollution is near zero. The house we're renting faces south/southwest with the land sloping down to the ocean, so would be a perfect evening view if it's still putting on any kind of show by then. Fingers crossed.

From what I understand each night it will be a little higher in the sky but of course it will also be fading

 

[Turn2]

Meh, I didn't think this comet was that big of a deal the last time it came around. Not worth losing any sleep...

So it passes by earth once every 87,000 years?

That's amazing because it happens to be the exact same frequency that Iowa advances to the Sweet 16. Amazing.

The video I posted states this is the comet’s first journey to the inner solar system ever. Chances are it will NEVER be back, as it stands a good chance of being flung out of the sun’s grasp.

 

[2speedy1]

 

[Buster28]

Such a good "bad" movie!

 

[Turn2]

Promising developments.

Comet A3 is brightening. Will it be the comet of the year?​

| EarthSky

earthsky.org

 

[Turn2]

This panel of images was captured in Australia four days ago. It is today's Astronomy Picture of the Day.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I believe the 27th is when it is no longer visible to the southern hemisphere and becomes visible to the northern hemisphere.