New Green Comet Will Be Clearly Visible at Night—Here’s How to See It
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Most significant astronomical events arrive with plenty of advance notice. The precise movement of our planet around the sun—and even many of the smaller objects within our solar system—makes it easy to plan ahead for a solar eclipse , a major meteor shower, or a special lunar event like a “supermoon.” But the vastness of the universe means that we can still sometimes get special surprises every so often. And now, scientists say a new green comet will soon be clearly visible in the night sky without a telescope. Read on to learn how you could spot it for yourself.
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Even though it might feel like we have our corner of the galaxy pretty well mapped out, new discoveries can quickly remind us that there are still plenty of surprises in the cosmos. The latest instance of this has been the discovery of Comet Nishimura, which is expected to potentially put on a show in the night sky , according to NASA.
Unlike other notable comets that have been on the books for centuries, this comet was only spotted for the first time around Aug. 10 when amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura was photographing the night sky. The object—which is also known by the less-memorable name Comet C/2023 P1—has sprouted a green tail and is currently visible by telescope, per NASA. But its journey toward the sun is making it glow more brightly, meaning it could become visible to the naked eye by mid-September.
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Despite the odds, NASA still believes the comet could soon be seen with the naked eye.
“Given the unpredictability of comets, no one can say for sure, but it currently seems like a good bet,” the space agency wrote in its blog post.
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Despite bursting on the scene and keeping scientists on their toes about its ability to survive its upcoming solar fly-by, there is debate about whether this is a one-time visit for Comet Nishimura.
Unlike the vast majority of other familiar comets that originate from the Oort cloud, some argue that data on the object’s path show that it has a hyperbolic orbit, according to Forbes . This means it may be visiting from deep space and has too much energy to stay in our solar system for a return trip.
On the other hand, scientists at NASA speculate the comet could be more local in origin. However, this means it would also have a longer orbital period of a few hundred years or more—and still makes this the only opportunity to see it during this lifetime.
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If all things go well, it should become easier to spot the comet over the coming weeks with a small telescope, according to Earth Sky. But if the object survives its close fly-by of the sun, it should become easily visible with binoculars during the early morning hours in early September. Scientists estimate it will become even brighter and visible with the naked eye beginning on the morning of Sept. 11.
The most ideal viewing will likely happen in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 18, when the object reaches its perihelion—or its closest point to the sun. According to NASA’s blog post, this is because the object’s trajectory is angularly near our solar system’s star, shortening the window in which it’s visible.
If it survives, Comet Nishimura will then head back out toward the reaches of space after grazing our sun, becoming fainter through mid-October, according to Earth Sky. So, if you’re hoping to see it for yourself, set an early alarm and head outside before sunrise for this one shot at viewing this unique visitor.
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
