In April 2021, astronomy enthusiasts worldwide will have the opportunity to observe two bright comets as they pass by Earth. The celestial bodies, dubbed C/2020 R4 (ATLAS) and C/2021 D1 (SWAN), will be visible with the aid of binoculars or small telescopes, and may potentially be seen with the naked eye under perfect conditions.
Comet ATLAS, which was first spotted in September 2020, will make the closest approach to Earth on April 23, coming within 32 million miles of our planet. Although this distance is substantial on a terrestrial scale, in astronomical terms, it is relatively close. The comet is expected to be at its brightest around this time and may be seen in the evening sky in the constellation Ursa Major. The best viewing time will be around 3 a.m. local time, when the comet will be high in the sky.
The second comet, SWAN, was discovered more recently in February 2021. It will be at its closest to Earth on April 12, at a distance of around 53 million miles. The comet will be visible in the early morning sky in the Pisces constellation. The best time to view SWAN will be in the pre-dawn hours, when it will be high in the sky.
Viewing conditions for both comets will be influenced by factors such as light pollution and weather. Urban dwellers may face challenges due to city lights, and cloudy or bright moonlit nights can also hinder the viewing experience. For the best viewing experience, observers are recommended to head to darker areas away from city lights and to check the moon phase and weather forecast beforehand.
Comets are essentially “dirty snowballs” made up of ice and rock. They originate from the outer regions of the solar system and are drawn inwards by the gravity of the Sun. As they approach the Sun, their ice begins to vaporize, creating a glowing coma and often a tail that points away from the Sun.
It is worth noting that while these comets are bright enough to be seen with binoculars or a small telescope, they are not expected to reach the spectacular brightness of some past comets, such as Hale-Bopp or NEOWISE. Nonetheless, they offer a fascinating opportunity to observe these ancient travelers of the solar system as they make their fleeting visit to our celestial neighborhood.
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