Our planet’s skies will be visited by something special from out of space that has not been near Earth in more than 6,000 years. As many as 28 states will be treated to this marvel of our galaxy when it passes by us this October. It will be a brief encounter but surely memorable, and none of us will be here to witness its return in more than 1,000 years.
The skies are to host a visitor from space that has not been here in a long time
Astronomers say that it has not been near Earth since the seventh century. It is said to come from the furthest reaches of our solar system, just beyond Pluto. It will more than likely only be near us again in the year 3421. This icy oddity was first discovered by researchers working at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona. Its coma and fiery tail have already begun to emerge, and this has skywatchers extremely excited.
This wonder of space will be better viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, with the first half of October (between October 12 and 18) being the prime days to take in its splendor. The early hours of the morning, just after sunset, and in the evenings are the best times of the day to have a gander in places away from the harsh lights of the city.
Comet Lemmon’s return should be one for the books
The wondrous Comet A6 Lemmon is the celestial visitor we are talking about. This comet is truly a sight to behold. The last time it was near Earth was in the early 600s, which means it has traveled a staggering distance to provide you with a few days of its glory. Viewing this comet while facing the western horizon would be the optimum choice. It will appear faintly but intensify as it approaches the sun, and it is said that if the conditions are just right, it may be visible to the naked eye.
Naturally, you will need to be in a dark area, one where light pollution won’t spoil your gazing experience, and of course, binoculars and telescopes are the perfect implements to use in doing so. Comet Lemmon promises to be the celestial happening of the year.
The best states to view Comet Lemmon’s beauty
Big sky country is always best for such occurrences, as rare as they can be, and Comet Lemmon is most definitely a rare spectacle. Arizona and New Mexico are two of the best states to view this comet. Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado will offer the best views to those in the north. Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania are the best situated states in the East.
The real beauty in comets is how they tell the story of our planet. These magnificent and otherworldly visitors are the remnants of a time when our planet was still taking shape, some 4.5 billion years ago. As the comet soars through the heavens, its icy surface is heated by the rays of the sun, sparking the gas and dust which form the tail of a comet and provide sky watchers with the memories they so deeply cherish.
A comet that is truly a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence
A comet like Lemmons Comet that takes more than a thousand years to complete an orbit really puts things into perspective. When it was last visible, we were still in the medieval era. The devices we so casually make use of to view things like this comet had not even been invented yet, and modern astronomy was not even in its infancy.
Comet Lemmon will be closely observed by astronomers as it comes around this time, and they will pay close attention to its composition and behavior in the hopes of getting clues as to the far reaches of our solar system and the space that it spends most of its time in. One can only hope that humanity will be around in 1,400 years to see this comet pass by again.