Skywatchers are marveling at the sight of a bright comet this fall.
Astronomy enthusiast Kenton Dyck says the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet can easily be spotted.
“If you can get away from city lights, that would be fantastic. You don't have to go that far. The comet is very big, the tail volumetrically takes up around 42 times the volume of the moon, which makes it easy to see. But you don't have to drive that far out of town, just get away from big lights.”
He notes that a comet of this nature is quite rare.
“We have heard it called ‘the comet of the century’. This particular comet, even given its size and how bright it was, was only discovered last year. This particular comet has an orbit of something like 86,000 years, so if you want to see it, now is a good time. I don't think I'm going to be around to catch the next go around. I'm going to try and capitalize on the viewing time now.”
The comet’s brightness is starting to fade as it moves away from the inner solar system, but you should still be able to see it this weekend.
Dyck encourages people to get outside and witness this spectacle.
“You hear of Halley’s Comet, or comets like that, they have shorter orbits. We see them more often, ‘more often’ being a relative term. Part of the joy and just the rarity of this event, the spectacle of it, is simply because we just don't know when they are going to get here. So, when they arrive, it's always a very pleasant treat.”
The sky will be clear Saturday night, making it easier to spot the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet.
-With files from Connie Bailey.