MAINE, USA — There's a lot of buzz on social media lately about a comet in the sky this week. The comet is Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which has never been seen from Earth in recorded history before it was discovered far from Earth in 2023. Now in 2024, the comet will be close enough to Earth to be seen with the naked eye for the first time.
Comets are made of frozen rocks, dust, and gases that orbit the sun. Their signature fiery look is created when the comet is near the sun, and the gases heat up and form the glowing head. Comets are large—the head can be larger than some planets, and the tail can stretch for millions of miles.
The comet will be visible low in the western sky about 45 minutes to one hour after sunset. The brightness gradually decreases throughout the week it will be visible, and the position will move higher in the sky. Like the northern lights, it will be easier to see in an area with little light pollution.
The comet will be visible until Oct. 24, and will not be seen again for at least 80,000 years and may leave the solar system entirely.
Conditions will be good this week for viewing with a consistent stretch of clear nights.
Happy viewing!
-Dana Osgood
