Comet ASAS-SN 01 brightens.

Over the next few weeks Comet ASAS-SN01 gets brighter and moves further northwards.
This fresh comet from the Oort cloud was discovered on the 19th of July 2017, from Cerro Tololo, Chile

It passed close to the Pleiades around the middle of September and is currently in the constellation of Perseus.

The comet reaches perihelion (closest to the Sun) on the 14th and passes 67 million miles from Earth 4 days later.
It should reach a maximum magnitude of around +8, so should be visible in binoculars or a small telescope at this time.

By the end of October it will be found in the constellation of Camelopardalis, heading almost directly towards Polaris.
What it’s brightness will be at this time is difficult to say, as comets are notoriously difficult to accurately predict.

By the end of November the comet will be close to Polaris and its motion would have slowed down as the distance from Earth increases. It should be very faint by this time.

 

 

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