Marathon Watch! Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Dazzles Skywatchers on September 28 – Don’t Miss the Free Livestream!

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is taking the astronomical world by storm! This mesmerizing “dirty snowball” has been captivating early risers as it lights up the predawn sky over the past few weeks. But the excitement peaks on September 27 when the comet reaches its perihelion—the closest point it will reach to the sun.

Mark your calendars! At 1:55 p.m. EDT (1755 GMT) on September 27, Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will be just 36.4 million miles (58.6 million kilometers) away from the sun, roughly mirroring Mercury's average distance from our solar system's star. Interestingly, temperatures on Mercury can soar to a blistering 800°F (430°C), so let’s hope Tsuchinshan-ATLAS can withstand the heat!

For those who wish to witness this cosmic wonder without venturing outside, you’re in luck! A free livestream offered by astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project will commence at midnight EDT (0400 GMT) on September 28. This live event aims to capture the comet as it rises majestically above the eastern horizon, courtesy of robotic telescopes situated in the serene and dark skies of Manciano, located in the beautiful Tuscan Maremma of Italy.

Masi expressed his excitement: “This is just the first live feed we’re covering for this outstanding comet, with more scheduled—including a special event on October 9 when we expect it to reach peak brightness.” Enthusiastic comet observers can look forward to more stunning views as the comet makes its appearance.

So, is the best yet to come? It certainly seems so! While Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will remain visible in the morning sky throughout the early days of October, we should save our binoculars for the evening sky! According to meteorologist and space columnist Joe Rao, there’s a chance for a significant increase in brightness around October 9. As particles ejected from the comet’s nucleus scatter sunlight, it might outshine Jupiter or even Venus—bringing a spectacular cosmic display that should not be missed!

Stay tuned and keep your eyes on the skies! The celestial show is just about to heat up, but first, let’s hope Tsuchinshan-ATLAS survives its sun-soaking encounter. Will this comet truly become a blazing star in our night sky? Only time will tell!