Today, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) nears perihelion, moving at roughly 36 million miles from the Sun. This proximity is heating the comet’s surface to several hundred degrees for the first time in 5 billion years which, in turn, causes volatile substances to evaporate and dust to be ejected, making the comet shine brighter than ever.
The comet is already visible to the naked eye, although only from the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, we will be able to glimpse it starting on October 12. While astronomy enthusiasts eagerly await this moment, let’s take a look at some stunning recent photos of C/2023 A3 captured in the southern sky and shared on social media over the past few days.
Here’s what C/2023 A3 looked like on September 26 over the Atacama Desert in Chile. This stunning photo was taken by astrophotographer Yuri Beletsky. Comparing it to his earlier shot of the comet, you can see just how much its brightness has increased.
Here’s how the greatest comet of 2024 appeared in the sky over New Zealand on the morning of September 25.
C/2023 A3 soaring above the clouds. Captured with a drone in Zacatecas, Mexico.
Another photo of C/2023 A3 over Zacatecas, this time captured from the ground.
This stunning image showcases the comet’s tail in remarkable detail. It was captured on the morning of September 26 in Brazil.
The comet over the Gran Canaria Island. This photo was taken on the morning of September 26.
The comet is visible not just from Earth, but also from space. Here’s what it looks like when viewed from the ISS as captured by astronaut Matthew Dominick. In the foreground, you can see the outline of the Canadarm2 robotic arm.
For more details on the discovery and observations of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), check out our article.
