The brightest comet of 2025 is coming. Here’s how you can see it shine

Hot on tail Quadrantid meteor showerAnother sight in the sky is about to arrive: Comet Atlas C/2024 G3, which will reach perihelion — the point at which its orbit is closest to the sun — on January 13. On the same day, we will also see it at its closest approach. Pointing toward Earth, this comet could become the brightest comet in 2025, during a year when no other comets are likely to be visible to the naked eye. Here’s everything you need to know.

C/2024 G3 was discovered on April 5, 2024, by the Terrestrial Asteroid Impacts Alert System (ATLAS) — a network of telescopes that scans space for asteroids likely to hit Earth. The comet comes from Oort cloudIt is a remote region located on the outer edge of the solar system and is believed to contain the remains of the materials that formed the planets of the solar system.

When comet C/2024 G3 reaches perihelion, it will be only 13.5 million kilometers from the Sun. In context, Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, orbits the star at a distance of 47 million kilometers. According to the latest calculations you provided Planetary SocietyC/2024 G3 could have a brightness of -4.5, about the same brightness as Venus, and will likely be visible to the naked eye to people in the Southern Hemisphere.

However, the comet’s unusually close trip to the sun raises questions about whether it will survive. Its orbital path indicates that it is a dynamically ancient comet, and that this is not its first trip around the sun. In fact, it is estimated that its last approach was about 160,000 years ago, meaning it may have already survived a close pass. “It will be so hot it may not survive,” says Nick James, director of the observatory’s comet division. British Astronomical Society. “But if it does happen, it could be an impressive object in the evening sky of the Southern Hemisphere after perihelion.”

How to observe a comet

If it escapes unscathed, the comet will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere to the west just after sunset on January 13. The comet’s orbital configuration makes it difficult to observe for those in the Northern Hemisphere, as it will appear very low in the sky immediately afterwards. Sunset or before sunrise, but possibly engulfed by twilight.

The comet’s proximity to the Sun means identifying it could be dangerous, and James says C/2024 G3 “should only be observed if you’re an experienced observer.” Looking directly into the sun without protective equipment can cause permanent eye damage.

There will also be interference from the moonlight, which will be in its waning phase, which may make observation more difficult. It may be possible to observe the comet with the naked eye in the Southern Hemisphere, but binoculars or a telescope may be needed.

Those who don’t want to miss the show can follow the comet in photos from Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Lasco C3 Coronagraph, or consult Minor Planet Center IAU or Comet Observation (COBS) Database.

This story originally appeared on Wired Italy It was translated from Italian.