Erasmus comet: a traveling comet now appears in the night sky | Science | News



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Several comets have been located this year, including NEOWISE and ATLAS, which were spotted during the summer and fall months. However, a new one is in town and is expected to increase its brightness six-fold over the coming weeks.

Comet Erasmus takes 1900 years to orbit the Sun and has been seen returning to the solar system.

The comet is now faintly visible in the night sky shortly before dawn, to the southeast in the sky.

However, it probably won’t be visible to the naked eye yet, but it will be in the coming weeks.

As it gets closer to the Sun, Erasmus’s brightness will increase by six and shine as brightly as a 5th magnitude star, which can be easily spotted.

Astronomers predict it will be most visible on December 12, as it plunges inside the orbit of Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun.

Thereafter, it will recede on its journey, which will not be seen for nearly 2000 years.

The astronomical site Space Weather said, “Where should you look? If you can find Venus, you can find the comet.

“Look low and southeast before sunrise. Comet Erasmus is in the constellation Hydra just to the right of Venus in neighboring Virgo.

READ MORE: Centaur discovered hidden deep in the solar system

However, some scientists have warned that comets will become increasingly difficult to see with the naked eye.

Light pollution is increasingly difficult for astronomers and amateur astronomers, as artificial lighting is on the rise, according to a team of researchers.

According to the Natural History Museum, light pollution caused by artificial lighting is increasing on average by 6% per year.

And as things brighten up here on Earth, the night sky apparently gets darker.

Gareth Dorrian, postdoctoral researcher in space science at the University of Birmingham, and Ian Whittaker, lecturer in physics at Nottingham Trent University, said: “With the constant increase in light pollution in the night sky, the observation of comets with the naked eye is becoming much rarer. “



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