Comet C/2024 G3 ( ATLAS ) is expected to become brighter than Venus next week , and will probably be the bright comet of 2025 . It has already achieved a brightness similar to famously bright stars like Antares and Spica – however , that does n’t intend it ’s leisurely to see , nor will it become so .

Whereas Venus is currently putting on a show in the eventide sky long after the Sun has prepare , Comet C/2024 G3 is a comet that will be very nigh to the Sun from our view when its luminousness peaks , so the best probability to see it will be when it is further away , but also substantially fainter . Moreover , it will be best seen from the southern hemisphere , where fewer citizenry exist .

Comet C/2024 G3 is what is known as a “ sungrazer ” or “ sunskirter ” , a comet that get down close enough to the Sun to put itself at risk of breaking up only as all its ices turn to gas . In Comet C/2024 G3 ’s case , its eye socket will take it more than ten times near to the Sun than Earth ever sire , and four time closer than Mercury .

It has an extremely long , thin orbit – so long that it is thought to be 135,000 yr since it was last in these parts . change to its orbit from planets ’ gravity have in mind that it will be even long before it returns ; presume it survives its dance with the Sun , that is . However , while 135,000 years is a long time , this still intend C/2024 G3 live a previous passage that was probably equally close , increase the prospect it will make it through this one .

Last year sawtwo cometsthat generated excitement , with prediction they could put on spectacular displays . However , while neither turned out to be accomplished fizzers as some visitors of late years have been , most hoi polloi attempt to spot them were disappointed . The same may show true of Comet C/2024 G3 ( ATLAS ) , but so far it is running forwards of predictions , not behind .

Like stars , comets ’ brightness ismeasured in magnitudes , with negative magnitudes brighter than incontrovertible ones . Venus has a order of magnitude of -4.9 at its best . Prior to its arrival , there were hopesthat C/2023 A3 would top out at levels of -8 , but in the end , the brightest measuring was -4 . That would still have been a tremendous show had it been visible after wickedness , but sadly , at that point , the comet was only a few degrees from the Sun from our view .

Something very exchangeable will happen with C/2024 G3 ( ATLAS ) , but some differences may give some people a unspoilt opportunity of get a line it . One is that , while current projections vary , some have it peaking at-6.1on January 13 . That ’s more than six time as bright as C/2023 A3 handle . It ’s already reached first magnitude .

Comet C/2024 G3 ( ATLAS ) now close to mag 1.5 . From T75 Chile on Jan 5.[image or embed ]

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alas , C/2024 G3 will also appear even close to the Sun at its peak from our position than C/2023 A3 ever was , making see close to impossible at that compass point . Indeed , even now , its apparent length from the Sun in the sky is 14 degree and falling fast .

The best hope of see it is to hope it survives its encounter with the Sun and to strain to bewitch it around January 20 , give or take a few day , at which percentage point its light will be well down from the height but might be sufficient to see afterAstronomical twilight .

The other significant affair about C/2024 G3 is that it is very much a southern object . It currently has a declination of 24 South – that mean it passes almost overhead from locations like Johannesburg or São Paulo . On the other mitt , it would be hard to see from somewhere like New York or London even if a ready to hand occultation blocked out the Sun ,

C/2024 G3 is moving northerly , but not by much or for long . It will be back at like latitudes by the time the best chance to see it comes . After that , it will head even further south , becoming almost impossible to spot for anyone in the northerly Hemisphere temperate geographical zone . Call it karma for all thenorthern hemisphere - only meteor showerssoutherners have to read about and can not see without frustrate the equator .

A banknote for anyone trying to spot this , or any other , comet : comet ’ brightness is the sum of the light put out by the surrounding coma and the stern . Something spread out like this is always go to be more affected by skyglow than a power point physical object like a headliner . Consequently , do n’t take for granted that because the comet is far enough from the Sun that you could see a star of similar brightness , you ’ll be able to see it . The same goes for trying to find it in a loose - polluted urban center once it has moved well away from the Sun , but also faded .