Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?

[Admin]

Although it is still more than 18 months from its closest approach to Earth and the sun, comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS already has social media buzzing, with optimistic articles being written about how it could be a spectacular sight.

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it? : Read more

 

[billslugg]

Hoping for another Ikeya-Seki, which reached magnitude -10. I saw it just before sunrise in Oct 1965. It had a 30° tail and was spectacular.

 

[Aldebaran5]

Hopefully this will be spectacular enough to be a naked eye object. Estimated magnitude -0.9. at closest pass to Earth.

Just one minor gripe. What does "just discovered" mean? Maybe it means discovered early last year (15 months ago). C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was discovered by Purple Mountain Observatory on 9 January 2023. Is there really a need for hype?
/grumpy old man mode off

 

[rod]

"The fact the comet was found while it's so far away is part of the reason for astronomers' excitement. Although currently some 60,000 times too faint to see with the naked eye, the comet is bright for something so far from the sun. And observations suggest it's following an orbit that could allow it to become truly spectacular."

My note. This makes the comet currently about 12 magnitudes fainter than apparent magnitude 6.5, very faint. For many in urban areas, the comet must be perhaps magnitude 1-3 or brighter to see fairly easy, perhaps. I plan to wait and see here

 

[Aldebaran5]

Current Apparent Magnitude as of April 29 is 10.5 at 1.8AU distance according to Heavens Above. Very promising for those in the Northern Hemisphere at least. (Count me out)

 

[rod]

Yes, https://theskylive.com/ shows 10.2 magnitude now. It is visible up in Virgo at my location in MD about 1 degree 43 arcminute from zeta vir star, 3.35 magnitude. Stellarium 24.1 has position and also Starry Night Pro Plus 8. These tools show 10.76 magnitude presently. I plan to keep an eye out here using binoculars, 90-mm refractor, and my 10-inch Newtonian.