Title: Debunking the Myth: The "New Year Comet" ATLAS G3
It's a possibility that 2025 will witness a radiant comet; the notorious "New Year comet," or comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3), could light up the night sky. But don't let the excitement mislead you – the reality might not live up to the buzz.
The comet will come close to its brightest and most visible phase on January 13, 2025, when it approaches its closest point to the Sun. At this juncture, it will reside merely 8.3 million miles (13.5 million kilometers) from the Sun, darting past at less than a third of Mercury's usual distance.
January 13 could witness comet ATLAS shining gleamingly, reaching an estimated magnitude of -4.5 – a level of brightness equal to or surpassing Venus in our night sky. However, don't get too excited if you dwell in the Northern Hemisphere. Comet ATLAS will basically flaunt itself for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, making its southern voyage unobservable for those in the North due to its trajectory and low position in the sky.
Now comes the catch: comet ATLAS's close encounter with the Sun exposes a significant challenge to its survival. In 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe managed to elude the Sun's fierce heat and gravitational forces, enduring only because of its impressive thermal shield. At a distance of 8.3 million miles (13.5 million kilometers), however, comet ATLAS could very well disintegrate before becoming visible, leaving the evening sky wanting.
For those in the Southern Hemisphere, don't let this discourage your anticipation, as comet ATLAS could still prove to be a captivating celestial sight in the evenings following January 13. But weigh your expectations: the moon's brightness could complicate things on January 13, as a full "Cold Moon" will rise, causing contrast to plummet and making spotting the comet a much more arduous task. Thankfully, conditions will progressively improve as our natural satellite climbs higher each evening following the full moon.
Should comet ATLAS survive its rendezvous with the Sun, those in the Southern Hemisphere can look forward to an enthralling cosmic spectacle. Comet enthusiasts, however, can hardly complain already – even before ATLAS, in October 2024, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) graced viewers with its naked-eye brilliance, albeit only for those distant from city lights and for those equipped with binoculars in other areas. In 2020, comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) – fondly named the "lockdown comet" – left residents in the Northern Hemisphere in awe with its magnificent nucleus and resplendent tail.
Formally discovered on April 5, 2024, by the ATLAS network of telescopes, comet ATLAS is hailed from the Oort Cloud, a protective sphere surrounding the solar system consisting primarily of comets.
With a significant 160,000-year orbit around the Sun, comet ATLAS is recognized as a long-period comet, making its return a rare and celebrated celestial event.
So put on your stargazing glasses, prepare to keep your eyes peeled, and the skies above the Southern Hemisphere for a spectacular light show, as comet ATLAS graces us with its celestial dance comes January 2025. Just remember to be patient as conditions could prove challenging, and the slightest adjustment can make all the difference in capturing this cosmic display.
In 2025, astronomy enthusiasts worldwide are excited about the potential appearance of the 'New Year comet' or comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3). This comet is expected to be part of 'comets 2025'. For stargazers in the Southern Hemisphere, the anticipated brightness of comet ATLAS, reaching an estimated magnitude of -4.5, could make it as bright as or brighter than Venus. However, those in the Northern Hemisphere might miss out due to its trajectory and low position in the sky. In 2025, stargazing opportunities could also include observing comet ATLAS (c/2024) g3.
