Historically, ancient civilizations often interpreted the appearance of comets in the night sky as ominous signs, linking them to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and plagues. The term “disaster” itself derives from the Latin word structure that combines “dis,” meaning evil, with “astro,” meaning star.
While current events may evoke concern—such as natural disasters and an upcoming nationwide election—it’s important to recognize these occurrences as mere coincidences.
Take heart, as the principles of physics remain unchanged. The comet in question is merely a two-mile-wide mass of dust and ice following its orbital path around the sun, making its approach to Earth approximately every 80,000 years.
Discovered last year and named after the Tsuchinshan Observatory in China and the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in South Africa, the comet has been steadily making its way toward our planet, albeit faintly visible amid the brightness of the sun.
This week presents a unique chance for sky-gazers. For the next ten days, after sunset, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS can be spotted in the western sky, gradually appearing higher on the horizon each night. Mark your calendars for October 24, when its visibility will begin to diminish.
To fully experience this celestial event, find a dark location away from city lights and obstructions, and take a moment to appreciate the wonder above.