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A comet last seen from Earth roughly 80,000 years ago was noticed from North-East England, and could possibly be seen once more this month.
The C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) was solely found in January last yr however astronomers stated it will last have been visible when Neanderthals have been alive. It has been referred to as “the comet of the century” as a result of of how brilliant and visible it could possibly be, in line with the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS).
The comet handed by means of the darkish skies in Northumberland last week, thrilling skygazers armed with telescopes at the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.
There is an opportunity will probably be noticed once more this month.
Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, stated the comet “is visible in the early evening skies from the UK”.
Dr Brown informed the PA information company: “Low on the horizon at sunset, it is best to wait a while for the sky to darken a bit before trying to see it.
“Look to the west, just to the left of where the sunset was and, if you are lucky, it should be just about visible to the unaided eye.
“However, as it is rapidly fading as the days go on, a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will certainly help if you are struggling to find it.
“It is visible across the country, though a low western horizon is a must, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to be out in the countryside where light pollution is less of a problem.”
Between October 12 and 30, folks might be able to see the comet utilizing binoculars and even with the bare eye.
Comets are made of mud, ice and small rocky particles and are sometimes described as “dirty snowballs”.
They orbit the solar in a lot the identical manner as planets however comply with a extra elliptical path.
As they get near the solar, the comets start to heat, inflicting the extra risky supplies equivalent to the gases and ices trapped in the comet to flee from the inside by means of cracks in the crust.
Astronomers say this will make it laborious to foresee the path {that a} comet will take whereas passing by means of the photo voltaic system.
Dr Megan Argo, an astrophysicist at the University of Central Lancashire, stated: “Comets are notoriously difficult to accurately predict in advance.”
She stated these celestial objects can develop “tails” when their nuclei – the rocky and icy core – break aside.
This tail of fuel and mud can change into “bright enough to easily see with the unaided eye, possibly even during daylight if you know where to look”, she added.
The comet was first seen on September 29 in some nations in the Southern Hemisphere, however got here again into view last week, showing “brighter” in the night time skies.
It was pictured throughout Europe.
Dr Argo stated: “It is important to note here that since comets are fuzzy blobs on the sky, rather than having the point-like appearance of stars, this brightness will be more spread out on the sky.”
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