A comet that hasn’t been visible from Earth for 80,000 years may soon be seen from the New York City area. Following the recent spectacle of the northern lights, skywatchers in the Tri-State Area have a chance to witness this rare celestial event on Saturday.
To catch a glimpse of the comet, locals in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut should find a clear view to the west just after sunset. Bart Fried, membership chairman of the Amateur Astronomers Association, suggests looking about 30 minutes after sunset, right above the horizon where the sun sets.
The optimal viewing conditions are anticipated on Saturday night, although cloud cover may affect visibility. There’s a possibility that the comet could be observed again next week.
“This comet was first seen by the Neanderthals,” Fried noted, referring to its historical significance. The official name of the comet is C-2023A3, and it is believed to have originated from the Oort Cloud, a distant group of icy bodies.
According to Dr. James Hedberg, director of the CCNY Planetarium, there is no assurance that this comet will return to a visible proximity to Earth in the future. “It’s these rare moments that change your lives,” he stated.
Senior research scientist Jackie Faherty from the American Museum of Natural History added that sightings of comets are infrequent due to the conditions needed for them to be visible. “Our solar system is pretty cleared out,” she explained, noting that comets require the right alignment with sunlight and distance from Earth to be seen.
Experts assure that there is no danger associated with the comet, as it remains far from our planet. So, viewers are encouraged to enjoy this spectacular display in the night sky.