Comet spotted over South Mississippi; more opportunities for viewing possible this month – WLOX

Comet spotted over South Mississippi; more opportunities for viewing possible this month – WLOX

Weather permitting and with the right gear, the comet may be visible again after sunsets later this month

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – October skies are known for show-stopping sunrises and sunsets over South Mississippi. But, this October, South Mississippi skies may have even more to offer.

A comet has been putting on a dazzling show for those with binoculars and telescopes across the northern hemisphere – including here in South Mississippi.

The comet is known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) or Comet A3.

Coast photographer, Jason Taylor, captured this image of the comet in Gulfport just before sunrise on Oct 1, 2024.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) puts on a dazzling display over Gulfport, Mississippi...
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) puts on a dazzling display over Gulfport, Mississippi before sunrise Oct 1, 2024(Jason Taylor)

According to NASA experts, Comet A3 made its closest approach to the sun on Sep 27 and will be visible low on the eastern horizon through about Oct 4 just before sunrise. It will be so low on the horizon that if trees, hills, or clouds are present, they may block viewing.

NASA experts say after Oct 4, the comet will begin to rise later in the day and will not be visible because it will be in the sky when the sun is out.

However, by October 12, the comet will make its closest approach to Earth and may be visible again, but in the western sky just after sunset.

NASA says there is uncertainty on how visible the comet may be as it will depend on how well it holds together after passing close to the sun and how much gas, dust and debris is spewed from the nucleus to make it visible.

While it may be faintly visible to the naked eye, for best viewing, try using binoculars or telescopes.

Comets are chunks of frozen gases, dust and ice that orbit around the solar system. As they approach the sun, they heat up, releasing dust and gasses that form a giant glowing head. These dusts and gasses form a long tail that stretches away from the sun for millions of miles.

Their brightness and visibility are highly unpredictable.

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Source: WLOX

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