Comet C/2023 A3: Will It EXPLODE Before Our Eyes?! (Scientists Say 1 Risk)
Comet C/2023 A3, once a hopeful night sky spectacle, might disintegrate before its closest approach to the Sun. Astronomers are worried because the comet is fainter than expected and releasing less dust, suggesting it may break apart under the Sun’s heat. This could mean no dazzling light show in October.
CONTENTS: Comet C/2023 A3: Will It EXPLODE Before Our Eyes?
Comet dims, breakup possible
Comet C/2023 A3: Will It EXPLODE Before Our Eyes?
An upcoming comet, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), which was projected to come unusually close to Earth around October 12 at a distance of about 43.9 million miles, may now be at risk of breaking apart before its expected approach. Initially predicted to shine brighter than Jupiter from our vantage point, the comet’s future brightness and visibility are now uncertain due to concerns over potential fragmentation.
Comet faints, breakup looms
Renowned astronomer Zdenek Sekanina has warned that Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) faces a potential disintegration as it nears the sun on September 27, approaching to within 36.4 million miles. This proximity triggers a process where comets heat up, leading to outgassing and potentially the loss of the dust that forms their distinctive coma or trail. This phenomenon can alter the comet’s trajectory, rotation, and speed.
Sekanina noted that despite expectations, the comet has not brightened significantly as it approaches within 2 astronomical units (AU) of the sun, which is about 160 days before its closest approach (perihelion). This, combined with reduced dust production, raises concerns about the comet’s structural integrity and its potential to disintegrate.
Faint comet, fiery demise
Sekanina suggests that comets like C/2023 A3 are susceptible to disintegration when they exhibit low brightness and reduced dust content as they approach the Sun. Based on these distinctive characteristics and behaviors observed in this comet, he anticipates that it will likely dissipate and cease to display typical comet activity before reaching perihelion.
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