C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)
Earth MOID | 0.275 AU (41.1 million km; 107 LD)[4] |
---|---|
Comet total magnitude (M1) | 4.3 ± 0.3[4] |
Comet nuclear magnitude (M2) | 9.2 ± 0.3[4] |
C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is a
Observational history
During the search performed by Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System using the 0.5-m f/2 Schmidt reflector at the Sutherland Observatory in South Africa an asteroidal object with an estimated magnitude of 18.1 was detected in images taken on 22 February 2023, when the comet was about 7.3 AU (1.09 billion km; 680 million mi) from the Sun.[8] After the first orbit calculations it was noticed that it was the same as an 18.7 magnitude object reported to the Minor Planet Center by the Purple Mountain Observatory that was detected in images taken on 9 January 2023. It was entered in the objects waiting confirmation list but after no follow up observations were reported, it was removed in 30 January 2023 and was considered lost.[8] Based on the naming conventions of comets, the comet received the name of both observatories.[8]
The object was
The comet by January 2024 had brightened to an apparent magnitude of 13.6 and according to Bob King was visible through 15-inch telescopes at x142 magnification.[11] The comet was then moving through the constellations of Libra and Virgo. In early July it will be in the constellation of Leo, in the evening sky, and after that it will be lost in Sun's glare until late September.[11]
During the last week of September it will be seen in the dawn sky, better visible from the southern hemiphere, and it is predicted to have brightened to second magnitude. Perihelion takes place on 27 September. After that it will move again in conjunction with the Sun.[11] On 9 October 2024 the comet will be 3.5 degrees from the Sun.[12] It will appear in the evening sky in mid October.[11]
Orbit
The comet has a
Date and time of closest approach |
Earth distance (AU) |
Sun distance (AU) |
Velocity relative to Earth (km/s) |
Velocity relative to Sun (km/s) |
Uncertainty region ( 3-sigma )
|
Constellation | Moon illumination |
Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 October 12 15:18 ± 15 min | 0.472 LD ) |
0.556 AU (83.2 million km; 51.7 million mi; 216 LD) | 80.5 | 56.5 | ± 7 thousand km | Virgo | 70% | Horizons |
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The position of comet C/2023 A3 in August and September 2024 with the expected apparent magnitudes. The comet is located in theconstellation Leo (Leo) between the two stars 55 and 57 Leonis about six degrees south of the ecliptic at the beginning of August and then moves towards the constellation Sextans. With increasing apparent brightness, it turns back toward the constellation Leo in the second half of September at maximum southern ecliptic latitude (just under 14 degrees of arc).
-
The position of comet C/2023 A3 in October 2024. The comet is located in the southernmost tip of the constellation Leo about ten degrees south of the ecliptic and moves in the first half of the month with decreasing apparent brightness across the constellation Virgo. It then moves into the western head of the constellation Serpens Caput, and then moves across the constellation Ophiuchus. By the end of the month, the comet reaches a northern ecliptic latitude of just over 27 degrees of arc. Therefore, in the second half of October the comet should be well visible on the western horizon after sunset.
References
- ^ a b c "MPEC 2023-D77 : COMET C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)". minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ barycenter(Sun+Jupiter). Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)
Epoch 1800 was PR= 3.6E+9 / 365.25 days = millions of years - ^ a b c d "Horizons Batch for C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) on 2024-Sep-27" (Perihelion occurs when rdot flips from negative to positive). JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-09-01. Perihelion as defined at epoch 2024-Sep-01 is QR= 3.91402E-01 (0.3914 AU).
- ^ a b c d e f "Small-Body Database: C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-03-01. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ D'Anna, Pasquale (28 February 2023). "Arriva una nuova cometa forse visibile ad occhio nudo!". Passione Astronomia (in Italian). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "New comet – C/2023 A3 – could be bright in 2024". earthsky.org. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ King, Bob (16 March 2023). "Anticipating Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3)". Sky and Telescope. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Electronic Telegram No. 5228". Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)". astro.vanbuitenen.nl. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ Seiichi Yoshida. "C/2023 A3 ( Tsuchinshan-ATLAS )". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ a b c d King, Bob (31 January 2024). "The best comets in 2024". Sky and Telescope. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Horizons Batch for C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) Solar elongation on 2024-Oct-10". JPL Horizons. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ C/2023 A3 outbound at 200 AU