This weekend, stargazers may have a once-in-437-years opportunity to see the comet Nishimura, which was discovered just a month ago.
Hideo Nishimura, a Japanese amateur astronomer, discovered the rock and ice ball on August 11. Its precise size is unknown.
According to Nicolas Biver, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, it is unusual for a comet to reach its moment of peak visibility so quickly after discovery.
“Most are discovered months, even years before they pass closest to the sun,” he said to AFP.
According to him, the comet has a long orbital period that causes it to spend most of its time in the frigid outer solar system, passing by the sun only once every 437 years.
Comets have lengthy tails because their icy nuclei melt when they get close to the sun, releasing dust and gas.
This tail is what reflects the sun’s rays and allows us to see comets from Earth.
Nishimura, or C/2023 P1 as it is known in the scientific community, will come closest to the sun on September 17.
Biver noted that at this distance, the distance between the sun and Earth will be less than a fifth of what it is now.
At a distance of 125 million kilometres from Earth, the comet will then pass by without injury.
On Saturday and Sunday, skywatchers, especially those in the Northern Hemisphere, will have the best views of the comet.
According to Biver, “the best thing to do is look at the sky before sunrise in a clear sky, free of pollution, in a northeasterly direction to the left of Venus.”
Those with even modest binoculars will have little trouble taking in the show. But if the sky is clear enough, you might be able to see the comet with your unaided eye as well.
Greenish colour of the comet’s tail is due to “more gas than dust,” as stated by Biver.
Source: AFP
