Brighter than stars and Venus: an amazing astronomical object is approaching the Sun
The scientific world expects the comet C/2024 G3, which is approaching the Sun, to become the brightest celestial event of 2025 and even outshine Venus in this regard. It has already reached the luminosity level of Antares and Spica, OBOZ. UA reports with reference to the IFLScience material.
A comet that is not afraid of the Sun
Venus is by default the brightest point in the night sky, but next week it will have to give way to a small astronomical object – the comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS). Its brightness will peak on January 13.
On this day, it is expected to be 6 times brighter than its "competitor" – the "winner" of 2024, comet C/2023 A3. Astronomers believe that ATLAS's stellar magnitude at the peak of luminosity will be 6 units. For comparison, the same indicator of Venus is 4.9 units.
This is what comet C/2023 A3 looked like in 2024
Source: Photo: IFLS
However, astronomers warn that it will be difficult to see Comet C/2024 G3 on January 13, as it will reach perihelion (the closest point to the Sun) on that day. However, in a few days, although not as bright, the comet will still appear in the sky. Of course, if it survives a close encounter with the Sun.
For your information, ATLAS will come 10 times closer to the Sun than the Earth has ever come before, and four times closer than Mercury. It is believed that the last time it did this 135 thousand years ago and survived.
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