Starlink satellites and comet tail meet in rare sky event
On Tuesday evening (15th October), an extraordinary phenomenon can be admired in the sky. Shortly before 9 PM, passing Starlink satellites will intersect the comet's tail.
On Tuesday, 15th October, a cosmic "train" of Starlink satellites will appear in the sky, accompanied by the C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet. The satellites will be visible precisely at 7:07 PM in the southwestern sky, but it will be worth waiting a bit longer for this unique phenomenon.
Look at the sky on Tuesday at 8:40 PM
Night sky observers should step outside their homes at 8:40 PM. At that time, in some locations, the Starlink satellites will cut through the comet's tail as it approaches the western horizon, as reported.
Let's remember that the aforementioned comet C/2023 A3 has been visible in the sky since 13th October. Pictures showing this object, which has come close to Earth at a distance of 71 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.
It is also worth noting that in the coming days, another spectacular phenomenon in the sky – the supermoon – can be admired. Earth and the Sun will reach perigee on 17th October. At that time, you can expect to observe an exceptionally bright and large Moon.
