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    • Which comet is visible tonight? How to see Tsuchinshan ATLAS in Iowa
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    Which comet is visible tonight? How to see Tsuchinshan ATLAS in Iowa

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

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    Didn’t get enough of last week’s solar storm and northern lights show? Sky watchers are in luck because a comet that hasn’t been seen in 80,000 years could be visible in Iowa’s skies this October.

    Which comet is visible tonight?

    According to Forbes, a comet called C/2023 Ag Tsuchinshan-ATLAS should be visible to the naked eye this week. The comet was already visible to people in the southern hemisphere and the tropics until October 8th. Now the Northern Hemisphere has a chance to see Tsuchinshan Atlas.

    When will comet C/2023 Ag Tsuchinshan-ATLAS be visible?

    According to NASA, Comet Tsuchinshan should be visible low in the west after sunset. October 14th to 26th is the best time to observe the comet. October 14th and 15th are the two best chances to see the comet at its brightest from the Northern Hemisphere, according to Forbes.

    Where do you have to look in the sky to see the comet?

    Starting in mid-October, sky watchers should find a spot with a good view of the horizon. It is better to look outside rather than up since the comet does not appear high in the sky. After sunset on Monday, look west and find the constellation Virgo, where Tsuchinshan Atlas should be located.

    Tips for observing the comet

    Avoid trees that might block the view of the horizon. Before using binoculars, try to locate the comet. If you can’t see the comet at first, use a phone in night or low-light mode to identify it, according to Earth Sky.

    More: Missed the Northern Lights? Here’s a gallery from Thursday and tips for watching on Friday

    Will Iowa’s Weather Forecast Block View of the Comet?

    Iowa residents may have a hard time seeing the comet on Monday evening. According to the National Weather Service, the state will have up to 95% cloud cover at some points on October 14th. In Des Moines, the forecast shows 95% cloud cover by 8 p.m. and gradually improving to 71% by 11 p.m. Conditions are expected to improve but still be fairly cloudy in eastern Iowa. Western Iowa may have clear skies in the evening.

    The chances are better on October 15th. The NWS forecast shows about 2% cloud cover for Des Moines Tuesday evening.

    Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

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