Rare Neanderthal-Era Comet to Be Visible This Weekend

 

A rare celestial event is set to take place this weekend as Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), last visible when Neanderthals roamed the Earth, could be spotted with the naked eye, scientists have revealed. Dubbed the "comet of the century" by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), it promises to be an extraordinary sight due to its brightness and visibility.

Astronomers estimate the comet was last seen from Earth around 80,000 years ago, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although Comet A3 was only discovered in January 2023, stargazers in the southern hemisphere have already managed to catch a glimpse. Now, people in the northern hemisphere will also have a chance to witness it from October 12 to 30, with its closest approach on Saturday, October 14, when it will pass about 44 million miles from Earth.

To view the comet, observers are advised to look westward shortly after sunset—around 6:13 p.m. in London. The comet's long tail, estimated to be about 18 million miles, should be a key feature to watch for. According to Dr. Robert Massey, deputy director of the RAS, it may even be possible to capture photographs of the comet, especially with a DSLR camera.

Comet A3 originates from the Oort Cloud, a vast, spherical shell surrounding our solar system, home to billions of icy bodies, including comets. The comet’s return after thousands of years offers a remarkable chance for both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers to witness this rare cosmic visitor.