Astronomy fans, get ready, because a new discovery has just been unveiled: a comet that should pass within a few million kilometers of our planet in early September! The comet, whose scientific name is comet C/2023 P1, was spotted by Japanese amateur astronomer Hiedo Nishimura on August 12, who indicated that it would pass between September 5 and 12, 2023, some 125 kilometers from Earth. But this beautiful spectacle will be visible to the naked eye!
The small problem with this comet is that it will pass close to the Sun, which could well cause it to disintegrate and disappear. For the past few days, it has been located in the constellation of Cancer, before moving into the constellation of Crab, then Leo, on September 5, when it will become bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. Its brightness will increase as the days go by, but as it approaches our solar star, it will descend into the horizon, and will no longer be visible, i.e. around September 12.
The best way to spot it is to go out at the end of the night, in the light of dawn, with a telescope or a pair of binoculars in the early days, and the naked eye in the later days, away from any light pollution. You'll need clear, cloudless skies to observe it, towards the east-northeast horizon. We can only hope that the Sun doesn't burn out this little comet!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 5th, 2023 to September 12th, 2023
