It’s been several years since a comet has been visible from Australian soil, so the visit by comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is an unmissable event. The comet is expected to be visible in the early evening for the next few nights as it moves away from the Sun. It has been exciting viewers across the northern hemisphere throughout the week and is expected to deliver a similar experience for Australians.
Available to comment:
Michael Brown, Associate Professor, Monash School of Physics and Astronomy
Contact details: +61 420 989 973 or michael.brown@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Brown:
“The comet’s visit is a very special opportunity to take a glimpse through time and space, because this comet is a relic from the formation of our Solar System 4.5 billion years ago. The last time it visited the inner Solar System, making it visible from Earth, was roughly 80,000 years ago. The comet is rapidly fading as it moves away from the Sun and it has been years since we have seen a similarly bright comet, so take the opportunity to spot this celestial visitor sooner rather than later.
“The nucleus of this comet is a lump of rock, dust and ice in orbit around the Sun. When it approaches the Sun, the comet is heated and releases gas and dust, producing tails stretching millions of kilometres across space. Although the comet is moving through space at tens of kilometres per second, such motion is not obvious to us as the comet is millions of kilometres from Earth.
“For the best chance to get a look at this comet, you should keep an eye on the western horizon during the early evening. Free astronomy apps can help you find the comet, with the bright planet Venus being a useful point of reference. It will be possible to see the comet’s tails with the unaided eye, but a pair of binoculars or a small telescope can provide better views.”
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