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The observatory is ready for a new comet

The observatory is ready for a new comet

astronomy

As of Saturday, comet C/2023 A3 Tuchinshan-Atlas, which was not discovered until 2023, will be visible with the naked eye over Austria. Observatories in Lower Austria invite you to observe comets together, provided the weather is suitable.

Comet Atlas Zouchenshan, or C/2023 A3, has already appeared in China and South Africa in the past few weeks. The first images promise a special celestial spectacle. It will also likely be visible to the naked eye in Europe on October 12. The comet was named after the telescopes with which it was first observed.

Various observatories in Lower Austria are dedicated to this unique landscape. As of October 12, the Martinsburg Astronomy Center (AZM) is offering club members the opportunity to observe the comet with the appropriate equipment. It is open to foreigners on October 20 and 22 from 6:15 p.m.

The comet approaches the sun

The comet should continue to increase in height and thus get closer to the Sun, AZM President Michael Jäger tells noe.ORF.at. The reflection of the sun usually makes it more visible. According to Jagger, the precise composition of the individual comet also plays a role.

ORF

You can also observe the comet at the Hohenberg Observatory on October 26 and November 2

Whether the orb will actually be visible depends largely on weather conditions, Jagger says. However, visibility is expected to gradually improve as the week goes on. The best observing conditions are expected to occur on October 19 and 20.

There will also be guided tours of the Hohenberg Observatory (Gmund District) on 26 October from 7pm and on 2 November from 6pm. You don't necessarily need a telescope to observe a comet; Even a telescope of the right size should be enough, says Hermann Lahofer, founder and head of the observatory.

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