Tag: comet

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Comet ATLAS

The comet ATLAS-Y4 will be closest to Earth on May 23, 2020.

On December 28, 2019, a new comet was detected. When it was first observed, the comet was quite faint. But since then, it has been brightening every day as it makes its way closer to the Sun.

ATLAS Y4

Astronomers believe that ATLAS is about to grace our skies with perhaps one of the brightest light shows that we’ve seen in a while.

The comet’s name is an acronym for Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), a robotic astronomical survey system based in Hawaii designed to detect smaller near-Earth objects a few weeks to a few days before their closest approach.

ATLAS’s Path

As comets travel closer to the Sun, they increase in brightness as the heat from the star causes them to burn. ATLAS is headed toward the Sun, and on May 31, 2020, it will be at its closest 23.5 million miles to the star, that’s closer than planet Mercury is to the Sun.

The comet ATLAS will be closest to Earth on May 23, 2020.

Comets are at risk of breaking apart as they draw nearer to the Sun, running out of gas and disintegrating from the heat of the star. However, if it does survive the journey, ATLAS will hit its peak brightness by the end of May, where it could possibly grow brighter than Venus and become visible to the naked eye.

ATLAS from Hubble

Perhaps the most opportune day to view comet ATLAS would be on May 22 as it will coincide with the new moon. Therefore, it provides the perfect opportunity to view other objects in the sky without the disrupting light of the Moon.

I hope you get to have a glimpse of this comet…

Tom 

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Full Flower Super Moon

Thursday 7th May at 10:45 will be the third and final Supermoon of 2020 and it is known as the full flower moon. It is also known as the May full moon, full milk moon, full corn planting moon. Whatever name you give it is always present near the constellation of Libra.

To find the constellation of Libra use a star map or a night sky app and search for one of the stars in the constellation like Beta Librae.

The moonrise will be around 8.45pm BST later this evening.

The moon will be at its fullest at 11.45am this morning, but it will not be visible in the UK at this time. 

However, the moon will be at its most impressive before it sets this morning at around 5.42am and also after moonrise around 8.45pm later this evening. The supermoon will be 6% larger than normal and a whole 14% bigger than a micromoon (when the moon is farthest away from the earth).

Constellation Libra

Full moons are always opposite the sun, rising in the east as the sun sets, equally setting in the west at sunrise.

Just before sunrise for six mornings this week the moon’s orbital motion from west to east will carry it past three bright planets; Jupiter, Saturn and Mars (also Neptune, but you can’t see this with the naked eye). To help you tell the difference Jupiter will be bright white. To the left of Jupiter Saturn will be yellowish and Mars reddish.

Halley’s Comet 1986

You may even get the pleasure of seeing some of the Eta-Aquariids meteor shower which will be close to the Horizon. These meteors are appearing as the earth passes through the stream of debris leftover from Halley’s Comet (Halley’s comet is not visible and will not be until 2061). The shower runs from 19th April to 26th May and has it’s peak on the 6th May.

Looking at a full moon with the naked eye, binoculars or telescope can damage your eye and should be done with moon filters or similar.

Enjoy

Tom