Get Ready, San Antonio! A Comet Is Coming Your Way!

Hey, space enthusiasts! Mark your calendars because a comet is about to make an appearance in San Antonio's evening sky. From October 11 to 18, just after sunset, you'll have a chance to spot Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. This isn't your average star; it's a giant ice ball zooming through space, and it's going to be close – about 44 million miles away from Earth. So, how can you catch a glimpse of this celestial visitor? First, find a spot away from city lights. Then, look towards the western horizon about 40 minutes after sunset. You'll see Venus, a super bright star. Now, extend your left arm and make a fist. The comet will be about two and a half fist lengths to the right of Venus. It'll look like a hazy star with a tiny tail.Binoculars will help you get a better view. And don't worry, it's safe to look at this comet unlike a solar eclipse. The best days to watch are coming up next week, from October 14 to 18. But remember, it'll only be visible for a short time each evening, so be ready around 7:40 PM to 8:00 PM. This comet was discovered by two teams, one in China and another in South Africa. The sun's heat melts the ice, creating a cloud of dust and gas that we can see due to the low sun angle at dusk. Isn't that cool?