A unique astronomical spectacle is coming to Barcelona, literally. Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, nicknamed the “comet of the century”, is approaching the planet Earth, and in a few days it will be visible to the naked eye looking at the sky.
We tell you everything you need to know to enjoy this spectacle.
What is the “comet of the century”? Why do they call it that?
C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was discovered in early 2023 by the ATLAS system and the Chinese Tsuchinshan Observatory (hence its name). Although it has been given the nickname of “comet of the century”, the science writer and astronomer Joan Anton Català warns, in an interview to Betevé, that this appellation reflects more the expectations and enthusiasm than its real magnitude.
According to the same popularizer, the comet “has numbers to give spectacle” but it is difficult to predict the bright tail it will leave in its path and, therefore, its visibility. Even so, the most conservative predictions are that the comet will shine with a strength similar to that of the stars of the Big Dipper, so that the visibility with the naked eye is, in principle, assured.
When will the comet be visible in Barcelona?
The comet will approach the Earth between October 10 and 13, being the night of Saturday 12 the most promising for its observation.
How to locate it in the sky?
To find the comet, the suggestion is:
1. Locate the planet Venus in the sky, towards the west.
2. Follow the horizon to the right from Venus.
3. Look for a bright spot in that direction.
How to see it from Barcelona?
The recommendations to see the comet are the usual ones for astronomical phenomena, such as supermoons or meteor showers: look for high points, avoid light pollution and observe after sunset to avoid eye damage.
This will not be the only spectacle we will be able to see. Saturday is also expected a very likely appearance of aurora borealis in the skies of Catalunya due to a strange solar phenomenon, so we will have to be attentive.