New Delhi, Sept 08: A celestial spectacle is about to unfold in the night sky, as a newly discovered comet, aptly named Comet Nishimura after its amateur Japanese discoverer, Hideo Nishimura, approaches Earth for its first visit in over 400 years. This kilometer-sized cosmic wanderer is set to grace our cosmic neighborhood and will make its closest approach to Earth on September 12, at a safe distance of over 80 million kilometers.
For stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, this presents a rare and fleeting opportunity to witness a celestial event that won’t recur in their lifetimes. Indeed, it will be another 400 years before Comet Nishimura returns to our vicinity.
Yet, spotting this cosmic visitor may prove to be a challenge due to its faint visibility to the naked eye and its position in the sky. Those eager to catch a glimpse of the comet are advised to rise early and look toward the northeastern horizon about an hour and a half before dawn, specifically positioning themselves less than 10 degrees above the horizon near the constellation Leo.
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As the comet draws nearer to the sun, it will brighten, but it will also descend lower in the sky. Paul Chodas, the manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, emphasizes that a good pair of binoculars and knowledge of where to look are essential for spotting the comet.
Comet Nishimura is anticipated to come closest to the sun, even closer than the planet Mercury, around September 17 before departing the solar system. Despite the inherent risk of disintegration as it approaches the sun, experts believe that the comet is likely to survive its journey.
Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, the founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, describes the comet as “amazing right now, with a long, highly structured tail.” However, he also notes that the upcoming week represents the last feasible chances to see the comet from the Northern Hemisphere before it becomes lost in the sun’s glare.
For those residing in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s hope on the horizon. If the comet endures its close encounter with the sun, it should become visible in the Southern Hemisphere by the end of September, gracing the evening twilight sky while sitting low on the horizon.
The discovery of Comet Nishimura is an extraordinary achievement, especially in an era where professional sky surveys and powerful ground telescopes dominate the field. Hideo Nishimura’s discovery marks the third time he has found a celestial object, an exceptional feat for an amateur astronomer.
What adds to the allure of this celestial visitor is its historical significance. Comet Nishimura’s last sojourn in our cosmic vicinity occurred approximately 430 years ago, a time that predates the invention of the telescope by the legendary Galileo Galilei. As it embarks on its long-awaited return, astronomers and stargazers alike are presented with a unique opportunity to witness a cosmic event that bridges the gap between the distant past and our modern-day exploration of the cosmos.
