The spectacular comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has amazed skywatchers by seemingly sprouting a second tail during its closest approach to Earth in 80,000 years. While this “anti-tail” appears to defy physics, it’s actually a visual illusion caused by the comet’s position relative to our planet.
At a Glance:
- The comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS displayed a rare “anti-tail” after reaching its closest approach to Earth in 80,000 years.
- This second tail is an illusion created by Earth’s position relative to the comet’s orbit and the sun.
- The comet’s brightness will soon fade as it moves away, but it remains visible with binoculars or a small telescope.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as C/2023 A3, delighted stargazers as it streaked across the sky in recent days. The bright comet, which originates from the Oort Cloud at the outer edges of our solar system, passed within 43.9 million miles (70.6 million kilometers) of Earth on October 12, offering a rare view for millions of people around the globe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zNv0LXvtJU
Astrophotographer Michael Jäger captured stunning images of the comet over Austria, revealing a peculiar “anti-tail” that appears to point toward the sun—seemingly defying the natural laws of physics. Comets typically have tails that trail away from the sun due to solar radiation blowing off gas and dust, but this anti-tail is the result of Earth passing through the comet’s orbital plane. The residual dust left in the orbit reflects sunlight, giving the illusion of a second tail pointed in the opposite direction.
Though several recent comets have displayed similar anti-tails, such as the green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) earlier this year, Tsuchinshan-ATLAS stands out due to its rarity and long orbit. This cosmic visitor won’t return to Earth’s vicinity for another 80,660 years.
The comet will soon fade from view as it heads back into the outer reaches of the solar system, but stargazers still have a brief opportunity to catch a glimpse using binoculars or a small telescope. With a bit of luck, you might also spot another celestial marvel later this month—a newly discovered “sungrazer” comet—if it survives its close pass by the sun.
This extraordinary sky event is a reminder of the ever-changing wonders of the cosmos, and those who witnessed Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will surely remember it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
