Pakistan is gearing up to witness the rare sight of Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan ATLAS) with the naked eye on Sunday morning, as confirmed by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The comet will rise around 4:45am and will be visible until it fades into the sunlight around 5:20am, at an altitude of 3-4 degrees above the horizon.
Comet A3, also known as Comet C/2023 (Tsuchinshan ATLAS) A3, is currently making its way around the Sun and has brightened enough to be seen without telescopes. SUPARCO spokesperson Marya Tariq noted that this comet is making a rare visit, as it returns to the inner solar system after 80,000 years, coming as close as 25 million miles to Earth.
For those keen on observing this celestial event, the comet can be located a few degrees right of east, the direction of sunrise. Clear skies and an unobstructed horizon will aid visibility. The comet will remain visible in the morning sky until October 3. After this period, it will move closer to the Sun and will reappear in the evening sky from October 13 onwards.
The recent torrential rainfall across many parts of Pakistan makes Sunday an ideal day for comet watching. For optimal viewing, SUPARCO suggests observing at 12:15am and locating Orion’s belt in the east. The comet should be approximately 10 degrees above the horizon, a significant altitude for naked-eye observation. Observers are advised to mark a building or object below Orion’s belt, as this will be the spot where the comet rises.
Comets have fascinated humanity for millennia, and our understanding of them has deepened significantly in recent times. This rare opportunity to observe Comet A3 offers a glimpse into the wonders of our solar system and a connection to ancient sky watchers who marveled at similar celestial visitors.
