A spectacular astronomical event is on the horizon as Comet Lemmon, discovered in January, prepares to make its closest approach to Earth this Tuesday. If you miss this viewing opportunity, your next chance won’t come until the year 3175, making this a rare occasion for all stargazers. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the weather this week will cooperate for viewing Comet Lemmon.
The best time to catch a glimpse of Comet Lemmon will be shortly after sunset. According to astronomers, the comet will be at its brightest and most visible during this time. The Mount Lemmon Survey, which operates a large telescope in Tucson, Arizona, is responsible for the initial spotting of this cosmic phenomenon. Utilizing a 60-inch Cassegrain reflector telescope, the survey observed the comet on January 3 of this year.
Comet Lemmon, a celestial entity composed of frozen gases, dust, and rock, is traversing space at an astonishing speed of approximately 135,000 mph. Its orbital period around the Sun is roughly 1,350 years, but gravitational influences will modify this to around 1,150 years. This means that if you miss it now, you’ll need to wait until 3175 for another chance!
NASA has indicated that Comet Lemmon will round the Sun on November 8, but first, it will reach its closest point to Earth on October 21, situated about half the distance between Earth and the Sun. While predicting comet brightness can be challenging, there are optimistic forecasts suggesting that Comet Lemmon could be visible to the naked eye during this period.
The ideal conditions for viewing will be during the predawn hours until mid-October, after which it will start to become visible in the evening skies. To enhance your chances of spotting the comet, find a location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the western-northwestern horizon. The best viewing window is expected to be about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset.
If you’re unsure how to locate Comet Lemmon, the Saint Louis Science Center suggests starting with the Big Dipper constellation in Ursa Major. From the handle of the Big Dipper, follow its direction westward to the bright star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. Looking east from Arcturus, you’ll find Epsilon, Sigma, and Rho Boötis stars, with Comet Lemmon positioned just below them.
As with any celestial event, weather conditions are crucial for viewing. Unfortunately, clouds and rain are expected to impede visibility tonight. However, the skies might clear shortly after sunset on Tuesday, providing a limited chance to observe Comet Lemmon. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, the forecast suggests partial cloud cover, which may allow for additional viewing opportunities.
The National Weather Service predicts that the sky could be about 50% covered by clouds on Tuesday evening and slightly more on Wednesday. Although these conditions are not ideal for comet viewing, occasional breaks in the cloud cover might offer a glimpse of this rare cosmic visitor.
After a warm start to the week, a cold front is expected to sweep through late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing cooler temperatures and potentially some rain. Following this front, conditions should stabilize, with highs in the 50s for the remainder of the week. This weather shift may lead to clearer skies during prime viewing times, so remain hopeful!
In summary, now is the perfect time to attempt to catch a glimpse of Comet Lemmon. With its next appearance not due until 3175, make sure you take advantage of this rare celestial event while you can!
