The “comet of the century” C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) continues to wink at us in the southwestern sky, hanging on three hours after sunset and still showing through good binoculars. But let’s not delude ourselves too much: it is becoming increasingly dimmer and will definitely go away by the end of October 2024. However, if you feel like you are faced with a dessert buffet – insatiable – here it is the comets that could steal our hearts in the next three months (or at least a fascinated look).
Discovered just a few weeks ago, C/2024 S1 (ATLAS) already has a nickname: “Halloween comet”. Not because he is wearing a costume (perhaps as a ghost?), but because his point of maximum proximity to the Sun will fall on October 28, 2024. It is part of the so-called “sungrazer from Kreutz”, the comets who challenge the impossible by diving into the solar corona like reckless young people on their first bungee jumping. If the comet were to survive this unbridled race towards the Sun, it could become visible to the naked eye between late October and early November, shining almost as brightly as Sirius, the star of the firmament. Of course, there is always the possibility that it will disintegrate, like a friendship that is too strong after a second cocktail, but we all hope for a story with a happy ending.
C/2024 G3 (ATLAS)
The ATLAS project has churned out another potential marvel: C/2024 G3 (ATLAS). This comet may be on its first debut dance in the inner Solar System, and the January 13, 2025 it will reach its closest point to the Sun, at 14 million km. Currently visible only with powerful telescopes, it could flare up spectacularly and reach a magnitude of –1, like Sirius. But don’t get your hopes up: even if she survives, it won’t be child’s play to find her at dawn.
For those who are not yet full, also watch out four more discrete cometsreal challenges for amateur astronomers: 333P/LINEAR, C/2022 E2 (ATLAS), C/2024 B1 (Lemmon) and C/2024 M1 (ATLAS). They certainly won’t shine like your last successful selfie, but if you have powerful telescopes, who knows…
