Comet ATLAS C/2024 G3 Approaches Sun in January

Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, is expected to shine brighter than Venus as it approaches perihelion on January 13, coming within 8.3 million miles of the Sun. This comet, which has a remarkable orbit of 160,000 years, may even be visible during daylight hours, although safely observing it will require specialist equipment due to its proximity to the Sun. Best viewing opportunities will be in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the Sagittarius constellation, while its visibility in the Northern Hemisphere is limited. Current predictions suggest it could reach a brightness of around -4.5 magnitude, similar to Venus. Observers are advised to seek dark locations away from city lights for optimal viewing conditions, ideally just before sunrise or after sunset. The comet's survival through its close solar encounter remains uncertain, raising questions about its future visibility.