The skies of the Canary Islands host the “comet of the century” for the last time and it is expected to be even more spectacular.

C/2023 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, known as comet of the centurywas first observed with the naked eye at the end of September and, starting this Saturday, will be observed for the second and last time and probably with an even more spectacular tail, says a popular astrophysicist from the Institute. EFE Canary Islands (IAC) astrophysicist Alfred Rosenberg told this.

We’ll have to wait until sunset to see this comet, and it will begin to be seen on Saturday, but Alfred Rosenberg noted that the “ideal” view will be visible on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

In the previous playthrough, the ideal viewing took place from September 27 to 29, when looking east at dawn. Now, having passed perihelion (the closest point to the Sun), it is approaching the Earth as it will be visible when the Sun’s brightness is not visible.

Alfred Rosenberg pointed out that the tail of this comet is very long and faint, so it will be much more difficult to see on Saturday, but on Sunday the observation period will be 15 minutes, and each day the clock will be extended by 15 minutes, so that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will look like better.

The use of binoculars is “highly recommended” and good photographs can be taken, Alfred Rosenberg said, noting that the comet is predicted to increase its brightness and its tail to be more spectacular because, as it passed close to the Sun, it is ionized, charged and less straightforward and more tousled.

Alfred Rosenberg admitted that it would be an exaggeration to talk about comet of the centurybut when it was discovered in South Africa last year, it was thought to be brighter. However, he added, it is still impressive to see it with the naked eye and know that this will be the last time it will be observed.

It will no longer be visible from Earth, as the comet’s orbit has changed from parabolic to hyperbolic and will recede forever, although according to models, it will be visible until October 25th.

Alfred Rosenberg noted that with the full moon on October 17, vision will improve, and the 19th and 20th of this month will be ideal, when you can get the best photos.

This comet’s closest approach to Earth is estimated to be on October 12, when it is expected to be about 70 million kilometers away.

Alfred Rosenberg recalled that the “optimal” vision of this comet depends on its brightness and apparent distance from the Sun and how it illuminates the horizon, as well as the brightness of the Moon and meteorological conditions.

Comets are made of icy material that partially sublimates (turns into a gas) as they approach the Sun, increasing their brightness, which they lose as they move away.

Although they lose brightness as they move away from the Sun, they appear to increase as they approach the Earth.