A celestial spectacle has unfolded across northern China as Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS graced the skies, captivating astronomy enthusiasts with its stunning display over north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northwest China's Qinghai Province.
The comet, with a yellow tail, was first observed by the near-Earth object telescope of the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Jan 9, 2023.
It may have formed at a distance of up to 400,000 times that between Earth and the Sun. Its coma measures about 209,000 kilometers in diameter, with a tail extending an astonishing 29 million kilometers.
Photographers in Genhe City of Inner Mongolia captured the comet streaking across a serene twilight sky on Wednesday. The time-lapse footage showcases a tranquil, deep blue atmosphere illuminated by the comet's brilliant trail, enhancing the beauty of the evening. This astronomical wonder lasted about two hours.
Meanwhile, the comet also made a dazzling appearance over the Qinghai Lake in northwest China, enchanting astronomy enthusiasts with its ethereal glow piercing through the clouds. As it vanished from view, the shimmering starlight and the comet's tail added an air of mystery to the tranquil waters of the lake.
The comet, which reached its closest distance to the Earth on Saturday, is expected to remain visible for observation and photography until late October.
The comet is widely known among the public as one that will appear again after more than 60,000 years, but experts believe that it is more likely that it may never return.
Comet C/2023 A3 sweeps across skies in north, northwest China
