Super moon and comet This week you will experience an extraordinary celestial spectacle
On Thursday evening, we recommend a dark place with an unobstructed view to the east and west: shortly after sunset, a double celestial spectacle will also take place over Switzerland.
14.10.2024, 12:14
16.10.2024, 15:43
dpa
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- Skywatchers can look forward to a double spectacle in the firmament on Thursday evening.
- Both a supermoon and the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas will be visible.
- About three quarters of an hour after sunset is a good time to keep an eye out
Skywatchers can look forward to a double spectacle in the firmament on Thursday evening - provided the weather is good. While a particularly large full moon - also known as a supermoon - rises in the south-east in the early evening, comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas will be orbiting in the western sky.
What is a supermoon?
The actual full moon will be reached during the day on Thursday at 13:26 (CEST), on which day the Earth's satellite will come within 357,174 kilometers of its planet. For comparison: if it is particularly far away, the distance can be 406,000 kilometers. "The moon orbits the Earth on an elliptical path," explains Uwe Pilz from the Association of Friends of the Stars. "That's why it's sometimes closer to the Earth, sometimes further away."
In general, the moon appears particularly powerful when it is low - and not high in the sky. This "moon illusion" or "lunar illusion" is due to the fact that viewers place it in relation to earthly objects on the horizon, such as mountains, trees or buildings, explains Pilz.
The coincidence of the full moon and the earth's proximity leads to extreme tides such as spring tides - because the sun, moon and earth are aligned. Any autumn storms can intensify this effect.
What is the best way to see the comet and supermoon?
If you want to observe the supermoon and the comet on Thursday evening, you shouldn't wait too long: Tsuchinshan Atlas is - as the expert Pilz emphasizes - still close to the sun. About three quarters of an hour after sunset is a good time to keep an eye out. However, the comet's visibility is impaired by the light of the rising full moon.
The rare spectacle of a comet passing by with a long tail can be seen particularly well at the weekend and at the beginning of the week. In Switzerland, Friday evening probably offers the best opportunity due to the weather.
Image: dpa
Tsuchinshan Atlas will appear on the evening horizon in the west from October 10.
Image: dpa
It has previously been seen in numerous other places around the world, such as here near the western Japanese city of Setouchi.
Image: IMAGO/Kyodo News
... or in Molfetta, Italy.
Image: IMAGO/NurPhoto
Tsuchinshan Atlas is above the night sky in western Java in Indonesia.
Image: IMAGO/NurPhoto
The rare spectacle of a comet passing by with a long tail can be seen particularly well at the weekend and at the beginning of the week. In Switzerland, Friday evening probably offers the best opportunity due to the weather.
Image: dpa
Tsuchinshan Atlas will appear on the evening horizon in the west from October 10.
Image: dpa
It has previously been seen in numerous other places around the world, such as here near the western Japanese city of Setouchi.
Image: IMAGO/Kyodo News
... or in Molfetta, Italy.
Image: IMAGO/NurPhoto
Tsuchinshan Atlas is above the night sky in western Java in Indonesia.
Image: IMAGO/NurPhoto
