Prepare for the Spectacle of Comet Atlas C/2024 G3 in 2025
Following the recent Quadrantids meteor shower, skywatchers will soon be treated to another dazzling celestial event: the arrival of comet Atlas C/2024 G3. This comet is set to reach its perihelion, the point in its orbit where it comes closest to the sun, on January 13, 2025. Coincidentally, it will also be at its nearest point to Earth on the same date, making it a potential candidate for the title of the brightest comet of the year. With no other comets expected to be visible to the naked eye in 2025, this event is one not to be missed.
Discovered on April 5, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (Atlas), which comprises a network of telescopes designed to identify asteroids that may pose a threat to Earth, comet C/2024 G3 hails from the Oort Cloud. This distant region at the fringes of our solar system is thought to hold remnants from the early solar system's formation.
When C/2024 G3 approaches perihelion, it will be situated approximately 13.5 million kilometers from the sun. For perspective, Mercury, the sun's closest planet, orbits at a distance of about 47 million kilometers. Current estimates from the Planetary Society indicate that C/2024 G3 could achieve a brightness of magnitude -4.5, comparable to that of Venus, making it likely visible to the naked eye, particularly for observers located in the southern hemisphere.
However, the comet's close passage to the sun raises concerns about its structural integrity. Its orbit suggests that it is an older comet, indicating this is not its first journey around the sun. Estimates suggest that its last close approach occurred roughly 160,000 years ago, hinting that it may have previously survived a similar encounter. Experts indicate that the intense heat it will experience could pose a risk to its survival. If it does manage to endure, observers in the southern hemisphere may witness a spectacular sight in the evening sky following perihelion.
For those hoping to observe the comet, it will be visible just after sunset on January 13, 2025, in the southern hemisphere, appearing low on the western horizon. Conversely, for those in the northern hemisphere, viewing conditions will be challenging due to its low position in the sky during twilight, making it difficult to spot.
Given the comet's proximity to the sun, caution is advised when attempting to observe it. Experts recommend that only experienced astronomers attempt to view C/2024 G3, as looking directly at the sun without appropriate filters can result in serious eye damage. Additionally, the moon will be in its waning phases, which may further complicate visibility.
While the naked-eye observation of the comet may be feasible in the southern hemisphere, the use of binoculars or telescopes could enhance the experience. Skywatchers wishing to follow the comet's journey have options to track its progress through images provided by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory's Lasco C3 coronagraph, as well as resources from the IAU Minor Planet Center and the Comet Observation (COBS) database.
