The night sky is enduring, so vast it’s timeless on a human scale, and so empty that decades can go by without much seeming to chance. Sometimes, however, a lot happens all at once — and that’s exactly what’s going on this coming week.
In the space of just a few short days and nights, Earthlings will be treated to a plethora of events and observing opportunities including that rarest of occasions — a bright comet — a solar eclipse and even strong aurora. There’s even a new “mini moon” in orbit.
Here’s everything to know about what’s happening in the sky this week:
Comet A3 Visible Before Sunrise This Week: What To Know
When: 75-60 minutes before sunrise where you are
Where: east from the Northern Hemisphere
Have you seen Comet A3 yet? Also known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3), it’s expected to get bright enough to see with the naked eye after sunset from the Northern Hemisphere around Oct. 12 — when it will pass about 44 million miles (71 million km) from Earth — but it’s now visible before sunrise if you’re an early-riser.
Coming up this week are some excellent viewing opportunities as the crescent moon drifts close to it. Here’s when and where to look — and what you’ll see:
- Monday, Sept. 30: look east an hour before sunrise to see comet A3 shine to the lower-right of a 5%-lit waning crescent moon.
- Tuesday, Oct. 1: look east an hour before sunrise to see comet A3 on the right and a 1.5%-lit crescent moon on the left.
- Wednesday, Oct. 2: look east an hour before sunrise to see comet A3 shine alone in a dark sky, with bright star Regulus above.
- Thursday, Oct. 3: look east an hour before sunrise to see comet A3 shine alone in a dark sky, with bright star Regulus above.
Thursday’s ‘Ring Of Fire’ Solar Eclipse: What To Know
When: Oct. 2
Where: Southern Hemisphere
On Oct. 2, 2024, a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse will occur in the Souther Hemisphere. During the height of the event, about 93% of the center of the sun’s disk will be covered by the moon. From close to the centerline, it will last about six minutes. That includes Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the Pacific Ocean, one of the world’s most remote islands, and known for its giant stone statues of human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500 called moai. The “ring of fire” will also be seen from from southern Chile and Argentina.
At no point will it get dark, nor will it be possible to see the sun’s corona and the whole event must be viewed through solar eclipse safety glasses. Here’s Timeanddate’s YouTube feed.
Earth’s New ‘Mini Moon’: What To Know
When: Sept. 29-Nov. 25
Where: east from the Northern Hemisphere
Just occasionally, a “temporarily captured object” goes into orbit of Earth and becomes a new “mini moon.” That’s what’s happening on Sept. 29 when 2024 PT5 — a near-Earth asteroid — is dragged into orbit for 57 days. It’s due to leave on Nov. 25.
However, this will be no rival to our real moon. At just 11 meters in diameter, it will be visible only to large professional 30-inch telescopes.
Crescent Moon And Venus: What To Know
When: just after sunset on Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6
Where: west
You may take next weekend as a break from early morning comet-viewing, but there will be two opportunities to see a waxing crescent mon shine close to the brightening planet Venus in post-sunset skies. Look west, first on Saturday, Oct. 5 to see a 6%-lit crescent moon about three degrees below and to the left of Venus. On Sunday, Oct. 6, the crescent moon will be farther to the left of Venus, but still a very pretty sight.
Northern Lights At Their Strongest?
When: Sept.-Oct. 2024
Where: northern sky
On Sunday, Sept. 22, the sun crossed the celestial equator to cause equinox — equal night — around the world. Over the years, scientists have noticed that the geometry of the equinox can mean an uptick in the intensity of the geomagnetic storms that cause displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora.
At equinox, Earth’s axis is side-on to the sun. The magnetic fields of Earth and the solar wind are also briefly aligned, states the Russell-McPherron Effect, leading to cracks through which charged particles can accelerate, causing more intense displays of aurora. Here’s hoping!
Check my feed every day this week and next for a daily “comet tracker” with sky-charts and tips for viewing Comet A3.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
