The ancient comet C/2023 A3Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, hailed as the “comet of the century,” illuminated the skies across the northern hemisphere this past week. The comet made its closest approach to Earth, coming within approximately 44 million miles last Saturday, according to Sky News.
This long-period comet, which returns to the inner solar system only once every 80,000 years, was first discovered in 2023. It made its debut on a highly elliptical orbit, marking its first documented appearance in human history. Named after the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in South Africa, C/2023 A3 is a testament to modern astronomical discoveries.
Stargazers worldwide captured stunning images and time-lapse videos of the comet’s journey. Videos showcased the comet streaking across night skies over locations such as Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, Russia, Macedonia, and Mt. Yarigatake in Japan. The celestial spectacle has generated significant excitement on social media, with many sharing their astrophotography experiences.
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