It’s been a spectacular year for skywatchers, featuring events such as solar eclipses, supermoons, and dazzling northern lights illuminating the night. It seems we are in for another delightful surprise—a “headless” comet may grace us with its presence just in time for Halloween.
This Halloween season, there will be more than just ghosts soaring through the sky!
Skygazers can look forward to an exciting cosmic event in the days leading up to Halloween as a rare comet travels through space and may be visible from Earth.
This is not a trick! NASA has confirmed that the space object known as Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1) was initially discovered in September by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) based in Hawaii. It is anticipated to be seen in the week leading up to and following Halloween.
It could become sufficiently bright to be visible during the day.
As comets approach the Sun, they typically become brighter. Nonetheless, this comet, specifically, might have Halloween skygazers exclaiming “boo,” as it appears to grow fainter and fainter while nearing its closest approach to the massive star.
Comet ATLAS has earned the nickname “Headless Comet,” drawing inspiration from the eerie tale of the Headless Horseman, as it is expected to fade away as Halloween approaches. A faint glimpse of its tail is anticipated to be discernible from Earth as it traverses the sky.
The comet should be visible from November 2 to December 19, as it moves away from the Sun, if it stays intact and does not break into tiny pieces.
Here’s what you need to know and how to spot the comet that is anticipated to appear around Halloween this year.
When will the Halloween comet be visible?
Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1) was first detected on September 27 of this year. It is anticipated to be visible from Earth in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres from October 24 to November 1, as it approaches the Sun.
The comet has earned the nickname “Halloween comet” due to its expected peak visibility on October 28, when it will approach a point known as the perihelion, approximately 190,000 miles from the Sun’s surface.
Unfortunately, the chances of spotting the Halloween comet on October 31 are slim, given the already-faint appearance of the space object. The comet will almost certainly disintegrate.
The Halloween comet likely loses much of its primary core, earning it the unsettling nickname “The Headless Comet.” Viewers might catch a glimpse of a fleeting part of its tail as it passes near the sun.
Where will the Halloween comet be visible?
Even though the Comet ATLAS is not very bright, there remains an opportunity for observers to see it from Earth on Halloween. Look at the sky about an hour before sunrise in the east-southeast direction on Halloween morning, according to Space.com.
The comet’s appearance is anticipated to mimic an airplane contrail stretching upward and to the right. As November begins, there is also potential for visibility in the following week.
What is the best way to watch the Halloween comet?
Fortunately, you can potentially see the Halloween comet without any optical aids. Although advanced technology isn’t required, using binoculars or a telescope may enhance your ability to spot the celestial object as it moves across the sky while you scan the horizon.
Happy Stargazing!!!
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