Nasa astronaut captures spectacular photos of Comet A3 from space

Comets offer a breathtaking spectacle in space, though they’re rarely visible from Earth, unlike meteors.

However, there may be a rare chance to catch a glimpse of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as C/2023-A3 or Comet A3, in late September or early October.

NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have been tracking and photographing this icy visitor as it passes by.

Comet A3 makes a spectacular appearance in this image from NASA astronaut Don Pettit taken from the International Space Station. Don Pettit/NASA

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, known for his astrophotography skills, shared stunning images of Comet A3 on X on Sept. 22. The photos capture the bright comet against a backdrop of dark, starry skies, with Earth's glow appearing as a curve in some shots.

"Seeing a comet from orbit is absolutely incredible," Pettit wrote. "The view of rising through the atmosphere from this vantage point is truly one-of-a-kind."

NASA refers to comets as "cosmic snowballs" composed of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbit the sun. As they approach the sun, they heat up, releasing some of their dust and gases, which forms the iconic tail that comets are known for.

Comet A3 is currently developing its tail. "The comet's tail is still too faint to be seen with the naked eye, but it's moving closer to the sun and brightening with each passing day," Pettit explained.

Pettit's fellow ISS crew member, Matthew Dominick, did the calculations to pinpoint the comet's location, enabling Pettit to aim the camera accurately to capture the distant object.

Dominick had previously shared a time-lapse of Comet A3 on Sept. 19, describing it as resembling a "fuzzy star to the naked eye."

"This comet is going to produce some fantastic images as it gets closer to the sun," Dominick noted.

There are still uncertainties surrounding Comet A3. While it poses no threat to Earth, there’s a chance it could break apart as it nears the sun.

The comet will reach its closest point to the sun, known as perihelion, on September 27. If it remains intact, it could become bright enough for easy observation from the ground.

Though some skilled photographers have managed to capture A3 from Earth, casual viewers may struggle to see it right now.

However, that could change in the coming weeks, with the best viewing opportunities expected between mid to late October. The comet’s closest approach to Earth will be on October 12.

Comet A3 might become a celestial sensation, but comets are notoriously unpredictable. Whether A3 will be spectacular or a letdown remains to be seen.

Fortunately, the astronauts aboard the ISS will keep us updated on its progress.