Astronomy lovers will have a date with a comet in the coming days. It is called the “Tsochinshan Atlas” and was discovered in January 2023. It is a brilliant visitation combined with a large-scale geomagnetic storm, which can cause aurora borealis in the skies over Caledonia.
It was last spotted 80,000 years ago, when Neanderthals were still alive. Anyway, that explains it Royal Astronomical Society (head)
Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas is considered one of the majestic comets, and it has been called the “Comet of the Century” due to its strong brightness and the possibility of seeing it with the naked eye, although having a pair of binoculars or a good telescope provides greater chances.
Some have already been able to observe it between September 27 and October 2. Also at that moment, Frédéric Demoulin, a Caledonian astronomy enthusiast, was able to observe him. It was visible towards the east, just before sunrise.
But don't worry if you miss it, as the comet can be observed again between October 12 and 30, but this time, you'll have to turn your gaze to the west, just after sunset.
Such a beautiful event does not happen alone. In the middle of the week, the effects of a geomagnetic storm reached Earth, causing the northern lights in the northern hemisphere, during the night of October 10 to 11. Sky Lyon or Geneva It was also decorated in pink for a few hours.
In the Pacific Ocean, aurora borealis were also observed. In New Zealand, the lucky ones are dazzled by the beauty of the lights, as here, in the sky above the city of Christchurch, on the South Island.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has rated this geomagnetic phenomenon 4 out of 5 in terms of intensity. The last time this happened was on May 12th. That day Frédéric Demoulin had the opportunity to observe the Northern Lights. Next October, he hopes to amaze again.
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