Stargazers worldwide are getting ready for the arrival of comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), anticipated to be the brightest comet of 2025. Following a 12 months crammed with celestial spectacles resembling eclipses, meteor showers, and auroras, this cosmic occasion is poised to seize imaginations early in January.
The comet is scheduled to achieve perihelion—its closest level to the solar—on 13 January 2025, approaching inside 13.5 million kilometres of our star. This proximity locations it considerably nearer than Mercury, which orbits the solar at a median distance of 47 million kilometres. On the identical day, comet G3 can even come closest to Earth, providing observers their brightest view of the icy traveller.
Southern hemisphere’s celestial benefit
Astronomers recommend that visibility will largely favour the Southern Hemisphere. If the comet survives its shut encounter with the solar, it may shine as brightly as Venus, attaining a magnitude of -4.5. It’s anticipated to seem within the Sagittarius constellation, making it a hanging addition to the night sky.
Nevertheless, the comet’s survival isn’t assured. Its unusually shut method to the solar may trigger it to disintegrate. Nick James, director of the British Astronomical Affiliation’s comet part, defined, “It will likely be strongly heated and will not survive. But when it does, it may turn out to be a powerful object within the night sky from the Southern Hemisphere after perihelion.”
Encouragingly, the comet’s orbital trajectory signifies it final visited the inside photo voltaic system roughly 160,000 years in the past, suggesting it might have withstood the same encounter previously.
Observational challenges
Even when the comet survives, observing it might pose challenges. Its proximity to the solar will increase the chance of harmful viewing circumstances. James cautioned that makes an attempt to watch the comet ought to solely be made by skilled astronomers.
Including to the complexity, moonlight could intervene with viewing across the time of perihelion. The total “Chilly Moon” on 13 January will rise reverse the comet within the japanese sky, doubtlessly diminishing its visibility. Nevertheless, because the moon rises roughly 50 minutes later every subsequent night time, circumstances for post-sunset observations will progressively enhance.
Discovery and origin
Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) was first recognized on 5 April 2024 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Final Alert System (ATLAS), a community of telescopes devoted to detecting celestial our bodies close to Earth. Originating from the Oort Cloud—a spherical shell of icy objects surrounding the photo voltaic system—the comet represents a uncommon alternative to witness an historical customer from the outer reaches of our cosmic neighbourhood.
Because the comet prepares for its fiery journey previous the solar, fans are eager for a spectacular show. Whether or not it thrives or fades within the face of photo voltaic warmth, comet G3 guarantees to be a spotlight of 2025’s astronomical calendar.