Could a ‘headless’ comet be heading towards Western New York in time for Halloween?

(WKBW-TV) BUFFALO, N.Y. – It’s been quite a year for “heavenly events” here in Western New York. From a solar eclipse to dazzling northern lights and the recent comet C/2023 A3 (Tzuchinshan-ATLAS), there will be no shortage of astronomical wonders in 2024.

How about… a “headless comet”… just in time for Halloween?

You may have seen a few articles about it online, or perhaps even heard about it from your family and friends. His nickname alone catches your attention, especially since the intended timing will supposedly coincide with “spooky season”!

There’s been a lot of hype and excitement about this potential “headless comet” over the past week, but at this point all indications are that it may not be a “hit.”

I’m talking about Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1), which appears to be falling apart and may soon be without its head and tail. Hence the nickname “headless comet”.

Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1), nicknamed the “Halloween Comet” due to the timing of its close approach, is a newly discovered comet that was first observed on September 27 of this year.

That’s why the chances of seeing this “Halloween Comet” are quickly diminishing.

According to astronomers at spaceweather.com, this comet, which was originally expected to survive its journey to the Sun, is now almost “certainly broken up” according to new data, and that “little is likely left of its original core.” .

The only shot at this comet that is NOT a “failure” is based on the idea that if the comet does break up during its close approach to the Sun, then the remaining fragments could form a bright tail without the presence of the comet head itself days later. If it somehow remains intact, the comet will appear much brighter in our skies in the coming days.

Hence the funny nickname… “headless comet”.

The comet should pass closest to the Sun (perihelion) on October 28 (Monday).

NASA estimates the comet will be visible low in the eastern sky shortly before and after sunrise.

Unless it breaks up into pieces too small to be seen at its closest approach, it will still be visible (through binoculars or a telescope) from November 2 to December 19, when the comet moves away from the Sun.

Astronomers advise looking for this comet during the short period when it is very close to the Sun. The time frame for observation is early morning hours. Find out for your location what side of the Sun the comet will be on, then find something that will block the Sun (like a house or building, etc., the further away the better) so you can search for the comet without looking at her. Sun. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN. Remember not to use a telescope or binoculars when looking at the sun.

Bottom line: There’s a small chance that there will only be a comet’s tail in the skies over Western New York on Halloween, so if you want to take a look at it, you might have a Halloween treat. …or…it could be one of Mother Nature’s tricks!