Rare comet to grace Arkansas skies

Celestial body visible now, won’t be back for another 800 years

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

Crittenden County residents have the rare opportunity to witness a celestial event this October as Comet Tsuchinshan- ATLAS makes its way across the Northern Hemisphere. This once-in-a-lifetime comet, which won’t return for another 80,000 years, is expected to be visible to the naked eye, offering Arkansans a chance to look up and experience a cosmic spectacle.

According to NASA, the best time to view the comet locally will be between October 21 and October 26, with its closest approach to Earth having already occurred on Saturday, October 12 when the comet was only 44 million miles away.

As October progresses, the comet will become more visible in the Northern Hemisphere, including Arkansas.

Stargazers are encouraged to look east-southeast just before dawn or west-southwest shortly after sunset to catch a glimpse of this cosmic traveler. While binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view, it should be visible to the naked eye under clear skies.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse in Arkansas, it’s advised to find a location with minimal light pollution away from cities. Viewing can be difficult even in smaller towns like Earle, but greatly improves just a couple of miles away from any town. Areas like the Ozark National Forest or the Buffalo National River may provide some of the best views for stargazers hoping to witness the comet.

Although there is a possibility of spotting the comet during the day, experts caution viewers not to look directly into the sun. Binoculars or telescopes can provide a clearer, safer view of the comet as it streaks across the sky.

Comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS are remnants from the early solar system, composed of dust, rock, and ice. As they approach the sun, they release gases and dust, forming the characteristic glowing tail.

Some comets disintegrate under the sun’s heat, but if Tsuchinshan-ATLAS survives its journey, it won’t be back for another 800 yearss.

Photo by Robert Mabe