Advocate Mehul Bansal, Jadetimes News
Adv. M. Bansal is an Advocate and a Jadetimes News Reporter covering legal news
Astronomers captured stunning pictures of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on 2 October 2024, during one of the closest passes the comet made by Earth. The images were taken from atop Maunakea in Hawaii by the Subaru-Asahi Star Camera, part of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The object had been discovered as early as January 2023 by the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China, but the calculations estimated that it was last visited in our solar system 80,000 years ago.
Independent discovery: Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is named C/2023 A1 by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. But for this comet's rarity in having lit up the globe following its discovery, the released brightness was equally significant, as it has increased now as it approaches the Sun. In fact, scientists predict that in weeks to come, its luminosity will brighten further, marking it as a source of worthful observation.
So, in itself, the orbit is quite unique, but the fact that it's brightening dynamically as it gets heated up while approaching the Sun is an added dimension of interest. Such an event is a remarkable opportunity for astronomers to observe the in-depth structure and composition of comets, shedding some light on how the early solar system came into existence and evolved. This month, this comet provides a rare but brief window to collect data on this cosmic traveler from the far reaches of space.
Observation by the public is encouraged as the comet opens up more to observation by humankind. Onlookers across the globe will have a view over parts of its orbit, and especially clear views from Hawaii's Maunakea because it's clear and offers advanced observational technology.
This is a very rare visitor from outer space, reminding us of the fantastic things hidden in our universe, waiting to be seen and studied. For lucky eyes that catch a glimpse, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will be an awe-inspiring sight connecting modern science with mystery of the ancient cosmos.
