The green comet Nishimura flies towards Earth. It can be seen with the naked eye

Miscellaneous / by admin / August 25, 2023

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To Earth flies mysterious green comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura). It is named after the Japanese astronomer Hideo Nishimura, who first discovered it in early August.

The space object will become clearly visible from our planet on September 7th. After that, within 10 days, it will become more and more noticeable.

Every night the comet gets brighter. Even now, it can already be observed in amateur telescopes with a diameter of 15 centimeters.

Press Service of the Moscow Planetarium

It will reach peak brightness on September 17, when it will be at a minimum distance from the Earth - 34 million kilometers. Under good circumstances and clear weather on this day, earthlings will be able to see it even with the naked eye.

The best time to watch is in the wee hours. The landmarks are as follows: from the end of August to the beginning of September, the comet will fly through the zodiac constellations Gemini and Cancer, in mid-September will pass through the constellation Leo, and in the second half of the month will be in Virgo.

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Given the unpredictability of comets, it is impossible to determine in advance the degree of visibility of Nishimura with the naked eye in September, but it is likely that this will happen. Approaching the Sun, the comet evaporates and a very bright gas and dust tail begins to grow in it.

Press Service of the Moscow Planetarium

It is noted that the comet will visit us only once. Shortly thereafter, the Sun will push it out of its system.