Celestial Spectacle: The Return of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

The comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, last seen by Neanderthals 80,000 years ago, is set to grace the night skies this weekend. Discovered in January 2023 by the Purple Mountain Observatory and ATLAS telescope, it is heralded as the 'comet of the century' by the UK's Royal Astronomical Society.

Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can expect to see it as a fuzzy circle with a long tail, appearing low on the western horizon shortly after sunset. Its close approach at a distance of 44 million miles will enhance visibility, with ideal viewing conditions particularly noted for locations like London.

While binoculars will aid in the observation, photographs can also be captured using a DSLR camera. However, the increasing brightness of the moon may pose challenges for visibility as the month progresses.