Posted by Centipede Nation Staff on April 10, 2020 3:32 am

Photographer Jason Guenzel shares a clip showing a 4 hour movement of Comet Atlas on a path taking 6000 years to orbit the Sun

Authored by Jason Guenzel via Reddit


This comet was predicted to reach naked-eye brightness in May, but new reports suggest it is currently breaking up as it approaches the Sun. I shot this video showing 4 hours of movement across the sky.

For a look at my adventures into the hidden universe, check me out on Instagram @thevastreaches.

This is Comet C/2019 Y4 (Atlas). It’s currently cruising high in the northwest sky after sunset.

This comet was on a prediction curve which would make it naked-eye visible in May. Now that’s all called into question as the nucleus appears to be elongating, signifying that the loose collection of rocks is breaking up into pieces as it gets warmed by the Sun.

I was able able to track this comet with my telescope for almost 4 hours to bring you an animated view of its movement through space. This was shot on the night of April 3-4, 2020.

On a path taking 6000 years to orbit the Sun, the sudden brightening called into question if it has ever had a close brush with the Sun. Will it remain intact to reach the predicted brightness? Let’s hope for a winner and not a dud!

✨ —> 🔭
Celestron 8” RASA
ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Astronomik L-1 UV/IR cut
381x30s exposures

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