Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 20: As the month draws to a close, stargazers in Udupi are treated to a rare celestial spectacle with three comets— Lemmon, Swan, and Atlas— making their appearance in the night sky.
Of the three, only Lemmon is visible to the naked eye. On October 21, it will approach within 90 million km of Earth, visible in the northwestern sky near the star Marichi in the Ursa Major constellation, close to Swati star. Lemmon will then pass near the Sun on November 8, a rare event occurring once in approximately 1,350 years.
Atlas, originating from beyond our solar system, has drawn special attention from astronomers. Its composition of rare minerals offers new insights into the creation of the universe. Unlike the Moon, comets brighten the night sky, and when near the Sun, their elongated tails create a spectacular view for enthusiasts.
According to Udupi astronomer Dr A P Bhat, these comets, along with the annual Halley dust shower, will paint the dark Deepavali sky in vibrant hues, delighting stargazers across the region.