Stargazers alert - Comet C/2023 A3: Once-in-a-80,000 year celestial event visible this weekend
Comet C/2023 A3 has returned to Earth’s skies after 80,000 years, promises spectacular sky show
Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is making a rare and breathtaking return to Earth's skies after an astonishing 80,000-year journey around the Sun. From Friday through Monday, early risers will have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of this celestial wonder in the early morning sky.
According to BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Comet C/2023 A3 completes its orbit every 80,000 years, making this an extraordinarily rare event for stargazers. The comet is expected to become a prominent object in the morning sky by late September 2024, shining brightly at a magnitude of +0.6 just before sunrise. The comet will reach its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, on September 28, 2024. As it ascends into the evening sky around October 10, observers can anticipate slightly dimmer views, with the comet predicted to shine at a magnitude of +0.8.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, currently stationed aboard the International Space Station, shared a mesmerizing video of the comet on social media. In his post, he described the comet as appearing like "a fuzzy star" when viewed with the naked eye from the ISS's cupola windows. However, using a 200mm f/2 lens with a 1/8s exposure, Dominick captured more detailed images, showcasing the comet's potential for stunning visuals as it draws closer to the Sun.
Amateur astronomer Stuart Atkinson from Cumbria also provided insights into what viewers can expect. He noted on social media that the comet would resemble "a fuzzy star with a misty tail" positioned low in the eastern sky beneath the Moon. Atkinson suggested that using binoculars could enhance the viewing experience, offering a more detailed look at this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
Don't miss the chance to witness this extraordinary astronomical phenomenon as Comet C/2023 A3 graces our skies for the first time in millennia.
So far Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looks like a fuzzy star to the naked eye looking out the cupola windows. But with a 200mm, f2 lens at 1/8s exposure you can really start to see it. This comet is going to make for some really cool images as it gets closer to the sun. For now a… pic.twitter.com/JstaSLJ4Ui
— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) September 19, 2024
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Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned by Karnataka Lokayukta police in land denotification case
Bengaluru, Sep 27: JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday appeared before the Lokayukta police for questioning in connection with a land denotification case.
"He was questioned in the Gangenahalli denotification case," a Lokayukta official said.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka last week asked the Lokayukta to expedite its probe against former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa and Kumaraswamy, also a former CM in connection with the alleged denotification of land here.
Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Santhosh Lad held a joint press conference on September 19 and released documents regarding the denotification of 1.11 acres of land at Gangenahalli in Kasaba hobli of Bengaluru North.
ALSO READ: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticizes Cabinet decision opposing CBI probe in Karnataka
Kumaraswamy said he has nothing to do with the case and he has never done anything that is illegal while in power and during his tenure as CM.
"In connection with the Gangenahalli case, four Ministers had held a press conference against me. I had said that day too, I have nothing to do with it (case). Still they have spoken lightly for the sake of publicity," he told reporters after appearing before the Lokayukta.
"... there were reports in the media that Kumaraswamy faces danger from Lokayukta. I have done nothing that is illegal and that will cause me danger, while I was in power. This government cannot do anything to me."
Noting that as an opposition MLA he had raised several issues that had caused embarrassment to the then Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in 2015, Kumaraswamy said, this case was put against him then.
"Today it is 2024, already several times the statements have been taken for inquiry, once again today I was called, recently I heard from the media that Yediyurappa was also called. I have appeared and answered all their questions, let them conduct further inquiry, and this government is free to take any action in accordance with law," he said.
Kumaraswamy said he has not come before Lokayukta after having committed wrong or illegal.
"I have come voluntarily today and have answered all questions by officers...there is no need for me to come once again, I have responded to whatever they have asked for."
Alleging that a 'benami' named Rajashekharaiah, "who has nothing to do with the said land (that was notified)", gave a petition when Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister in 2007, seeking denotification of the land, which was acquired 30 years ago, Krishna Byre Gowda had last week alleged that Kumaraswamy had then asked officials to move the file in this regard.
He had said that the original owner of the said land had 21 heirs, who gave a general power of attorney to Kumaraswamy's mother-in-law.
Further pointing out that when Yediyurappa was the CM in 2010, and despite the then principal secretary to the urban development department K Jothiramalingam noting on the file that it was not a fit case for denotification, the former ordered denotification, Gowda had claimed.
"Subsequently after the denotification of the land in June, 2010, it was registered in the name of Kumaraswamy's brother-in-law Channappa in July that year," he had said.
The land costing several crores of rupees belonged to Bangalore Development Authority and should have been used for the poor, the Minister had said, asking: "is it not a systematic fraud."
