CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. The cosmos is treating skywatchers to a rare sight as a comet not seen in over four centuries journeys through our celestial neighborhood for the first time. It’s an astronomical event that won’t repeat itself for another 400 years, so stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere are urged to seize the opportunity in the coming weeks.
This kilometer-sized (1/2-mile) celestial traveler is set to make its closest pass by Earth on September 12, coming within a safe distance of 78 million miles (125 million kilometers).
To catch a glimpse of this cosmic visitor, early risers should turn their gazes toward the northeastern horizon approximately 1 1/2 hours before dawn. Specifically, it will appear less than 10 degrees above the horizon near the constellation Leo. While the comet will grow brighter as it approaches the sun, it will also descend lower in the sky, making observation more challenging.
Even though the comet is visible to the naked eye, it remains exceedingly faint. “So you really need a good pair of binoculars to pick it out and you also need to know where to look,” explained Paul Chodas, manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
The comet will come closer to the sun than Mercury during its closest approach, expected around September 17. Scientists believe it is likely to survive this solar encounter.
Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, expressed his enthusiasm for the comet’s current appearance, describing it as “amazing” with a long, well-defined tail, making it a joy to observe through a telescope. He emphasized that the next week represents the last feasible opportunity to spot the comet from the Northern Hemisphere before it becomes obscured by the sun’s glare.
However, if the comet survives its journey around the sun, it should become visible in the Southern Hemisphere by the end of September. It will hover low on the horizon during the evening twilight, providing an awe-inspiring celestial spectacle.
The journey of this rare green comet began when it was discovered by an amateur Japanese astronomer in mid-August. It now bears the name of its discoverer, the Nishimura comet.
Amateur discoveries of comets are increasingly rare due to the extensive professional sky surveys conducted by powerful ground-based telescopes. In fact, this marks the third comet discovery for the amateur astronomer, a remarkable achievement.
The last time this comet graced our skies was approximately 430 years ago, a decade or two before Galileo Galilei revolutionized astronomy with the invention of the telescope. As this celestial wanderer embarks on its once-in-four-centuries journey through our cosmic neighborhood, it provides a unique opportunity for skywatchers to connect with centuries of astronomical history and wonder at the mysteries of the universe.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
