On October 12th, the highly anticipated Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) passed its closest point to Earth, and with Shenzhen's clear skies, stargazers flocked to the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory in Xichong, Dapeng, to catch a glimpse of this cosmic wanderer.

Discovered in 2023, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is the eighth comet to be discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, earning it the nickname "Tsuchinshan-ATLAS" in honor of its discovery site. This non-periodic comet follows an exceptional elliptical orbit, taking approximately 61,751 years to complete one lap around the Sun—meaning it only visits our skies once every 60,000-plus years!

As the comet reached its closest proximity to Earth on October 12th, it attracted stargazers from all corners of the nation. "Today's weather wasn't perfect, but there are still opportunities ahead," shared Mei Lin, the director of the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory's astronomy department. Images of the comet from Guangdong and other low-latitude regions have already stolen the spotlight, and this is just the beginning of the observation period. Over the next two weeks, as long as the skies remain clear, stargazers in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingyuan, and beyond can continue to keep their eyes peeled.

However, for how long will this 'visitor from beyond' remain visible?

Great news! After October 12th, the comet's angular distance from the Sun will rapidly increase, making it even easier to spot with the naked eye. The best viewing opportunity occurs shortly after sunset when you can see it shining in the western sky for approximately an hour. This means that the追星 (stargazing) journey is far from over!

Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. Grab your telescope, camera, and sense of wonder, and let's chase the stars together!

Author | Alice

Photo | Wang Liangjue

Editor | Will, James