How, when, and where to look to see Comet A3, also known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), this week, with sky charts.
What time will comet A3 be visible this week? Also known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3), it’s currently shining brightly for those in the Northern Hemisphere — but there’s a catch.
It’s brightened and is visible in in the east before sunrise, which means it’s necessary to rise very early before it gets swamped by the light of dawn, and then sunrise. In late-Oct. it will become bright in the west after sunset.
Will you see the comet this week? With some good planning, clear weather and well-timed observing, comet A3 and its bright tail could make an eye-catching sight — particularly because the moon is now waning, darkening the pre-dawn sky.Why And When Comet A3 Is Visible
Comet A3 is moving to a position in between the Earth and the sun. On Sept. 27, comet A3 reached its perihelion — the closest it gets to the sun — at about 36 million miles (59 million km). Comet A3 will get closest to Earth on Oct. 12, when it will pass about 44 million miles (71 million km) from Earth.
Around those two dates are key times to view the comet — and we’re now halfway through that first observing window.
Here are some sky-charts to help you find comet A3 this week. Note that it’s getting closer to the sun with each passing morning, so will appear slightly lower on the horizon. The earlier this week you try to see it, the easier it will likely be.Where To See Comet A3: Monday, Sept. 30
Position: east-southeast, 21.6 degrees from the sun in Leo
Time: an hour before sunrise where you are (around 07:00 in the U.
