Dear Reader,
Have you ever heard of the Oort Cloud? If not, have a seat and let me explain about this mysterious realm at the edge of our solar system and its spooky, glowing visitor.
The Oort Cloud surrounds our solar system (yes, it’s a cloud that’s large enough to circle our entire solar system! I’ll let that sink in), and is made up of what’s theorized to be billions of ancient celestial bodies – like debris that’s thousands or even millions of years old. Scientists think it’s where long period comets (which can take tens of thousands or millions of years to make an orbit) originate from. I say “think”, because this cloud has never actually been observed! It’s that far away. Scientists are pretty sure it’s out there because of how the comets they do observe act.
Just think – the occasional comets we do see from this region are millions or billions of years old – remnants from the beginning of the universe.
So what’s the deal with Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS? Well, unless you’re a time traveler or over 80,000 years old, no one’s ever seen this comet in recorded history – making it a once in a lifetime event, because it won’t be seen for another 80,000 years (time travelers and immortals – you don’t count!). It also is going to visit us during Halloween, which makes it extra spooky – I mean, think about it – an ancient, never before seen comet from the farthest reaches of our solar system, from a part of our galaxy no one can even see? This is pretty perfect for spooky season. And its eerie green glow is super fitting for this season (though the glow is just gas and ice reflecting light, along with solar radiation interacting with gases…or is it?).
Many comets pass by the sun and break apart, but not this one! It survived, so it’s still in tact for any sky watchers to enjoy.
Something else really cool about this comet is that you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye for quite some time! It’s supposed to be visible in the night sky starting mid-October (so, about now!) and be visible through the end of October. Try looking outside just after dark – depending on where you’re located, it should be visible if you look southwest.
If you’re into weird phenomenon, theories, or just things that make you go “Hmmm”, here’s some food for thought – what secrets does this comet hold? It’s a piece of an ancient time, a time when the universe was young. There’s so much we don’t know about the universe – how could we? What does this comet tell us about the mysterious Oort Cloud? What’s really in the region that we can’t even see? Does it even exist? And maybe, if the scientists are right and the Oort Cloud is there…what else is there that we can’t see because it’s too far away? Could it be something that changes our understanding of the universe altogether?
So many questions! Who knows…maybe one day we’ll get to see what’s hiding in this part of the universe. But until we do, let’s enjoy the occasional spooky comet we get from this ancient cloud from a time long past.
Do you think there’s more to the Oort Cloud? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear them! And stay tuned for more weird and unexplained phenomena – see you next time!
Yours in mystery,
Alisha