Good news, North Carolina: There’s an extraordinary celestial event happening right now and since it’s visible from the Tar Heel State there’s no reason to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a peek at a comet that hasn’t been seen for thousands of years.
A comet, for those who need a refresher, is an object within a solar system that releases gases when it passes near to the sun. That process is called outgassing and when it occurs, the comet gets an aura (sometimes very bright) and oftentimes, the appearance of a tail.
ClaudioVentrella / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images Comets are known to have elliptical orbits that can span from a few years to several million years.
In late December 2019, astronomers at Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory caught views of a comet that’s never been seen in recent times.
Google/Alan Oberhammer The sighting occurred using a reflective telescope dedicated to ATLAS research (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System). Now known as Comet ATLAS, this brightly light comet is now slowly crossing over North Carolina and can be spotted in the night sky through May. So, even if it’s rainy or cloudy tonight, there will be many more opportunities to get a glimpse.
One of the most unique things about Comet ATLAS is its lengthy orbit. It hasn’t been in a viewing range of Earth for approximately 5,000 years — meaning the ancient Egyptians would have been the last individuals to have seen it.
Flickr/David Stanley
Comet ATLAS is expected to be closest to Earth on May 23, 2020, but can still be observed on clear-sky nights leading up to (and after) the peak.
Wikimedia Commons/Sidney Hall
In this image captured on April 15, 2020, Comet ATLAS is seen with a glimmer of a tail.
Wikipedia/Raysastrophotograhy The comet, seen with a green hue in the center of the image, is surrounded by brightly lit stars that make up a constellation known as The Big Dipper.
Of course, the optimal way to view the comet is with a telescope, but binoculars should provide a great view as well. And, if we’re lucky, Comet ATLAS will continue to increase in brightness and then, by the end of April, it may also be visible to the naked eye!
Flickr/Edith Soto Learn more about this newly discovered comet and see a few more still shots in the following video featuring The Sky Guy and published to youtube on April 16, 2020, by user New Hampshire PBS:
Are you ready to view a newly discovered comet right from your own back yard? The next time the skies are clear between now and May 23, look toward the North sky and check it out!
ClaudioVentrella / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Comets are known to have elliptical orbits that can span from a few years to several million years.
Google/Alan Oberhammer
The sighting occurred using a reflective telescope dedicated to ATLAS research (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System). Now known as Comet ATLAS, this brightly light comet is now slowly crossing over North Carolina and can be spotted in the night sky through May. So, even if it’s rainy or cloudy tonight, there will be many more opportunities to get a glimpse.
Flickr/David Stanley
Wikimedia Commons/Sidney Hall
Wikipedia/Raysastrophotograhy
The comet, seen with a green hue in the center of the image, is surrounded by brightly lit stars that make up a constellation known as The Big Dipper.
Flickr/Edith Soto
Learn more about this newly discovered comet and see a few more still shots in the following video featuring The Sky Guy and published to youtube on April 16, 2020, by user New Hampshire PBS:
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