Introducing Comet Nishimura
Credit & Copyright:
Dan Bartlett
Will Comet Nishimura become visible to the unaided eye?
Given the unpredictability of comets, no one can say for sure,
but it currently seems like a good bet.
The comet was
discovered only ten days ago by Hideo Nishimura
during 30-second exposures with a standard digital camera.
Since then,
C/2023 P1 Nishimura has increased in brightness and
its path across the inner
Solar System determined.
As the comet dives toward the Sun, it will surely continue to
intensify and possibly become a naked-eye object in early September.
A problem is that
the comet will also be angularly near the Sun,
so it will only be possible to see it
near sunset or sunrise.
The comet will get so
close to the Sun -- inside the orbit of
planet Mercury --
that its nucleus may
break up.
Pictured,
Comet Nishimura was imaged three days ago from
June Lake,
California,
USA
while sporting a green coma and a thin tail.