Starlink satellites to light up skies with comet encounter Tuesday
On Tuesday evening, October 15, an extraordinary phenomenon will be visible in the sky. Shortly before 9 p.m. Eastern Time, passing Starlink satellites will intersect the comet's tail.
On Tuesday, October 15, a cosmic "train" of Starlink will appear in the sky, along with the C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet. The satellites will be visible at exactly 7:07 p.m. in the southwestern sky, but it will be worthwhile to wait a bit longer for this unique event.
Look at the sky on Tuesday at 8:40 p.m
Night sky observers should step outside at 8:40 p.m. Eastern Time. At that time, in some locations, the Starlink satellites will pass through the comet's tail as it approaches the western horizon.
It's important to remember that the comet C/2023 A3 has been visible in the sky since October 13. Pictures showing this object, which has come close to Earth at a distance of about 70 million kilometres, are already appearing on social media.
Its visibility will weaken with each passing day, so going outside on Tuesday evening might be one of the few opportunities to observe this rare phenomenon when the satellites, responsible for "internet from space," intersect the tail of the comet near Earth.
Additionally, in the coming days, another spectacular phenomenon in the sky – the supermoon – can be admired. Earth and the Sun will reach perigee on October 17. At that time, you can expect to see an exceptionally bright and large Moon.
