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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

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    Haven’t gotten enough of last week’s solar storm and northern lights show yet? Skywatchers are in luck, because in October a comet that hasn’t been seen in 80,000 years could be visible in the Iowa sky.

    Which comet is visible tonight?

    According to Forbes, a comet named C/2023 Ag Tsuchinshan-ATLAS should be visible to the naked eye this week. The comet was visible to people in the southern hemisphere and the tropics until October 8. Now the Northern Hemisphere has the 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. From October 14 to October 26 is the best time to observe the comet. According to Forbes, October 14 and 15 are the two best chances to see the comet at its brightest from the Northern Hemisphere.

    Where should you look in the sky to see the comet?

    From mid-October onwards, sky watchers will want to find a spot with a good view of the horizon. It is better to look outward rather than up because the comet will not appear high in the sky. After sunset, look west and find the constellation Virgo, where Tsuchinshan-Atlas should be.

    Tips for viewing the comet

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

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

    Will the Iowa weather forecast block the view of the comet?

    Iowans may have a hard time seeing the comet Monday evening. The state is expected to have as much as 95% cloud cover on October 14, according to the National Weather Service. In Des Moines, the forecast shows 95% cloud cover at 8 p.m., gradually improving to 71% by 11 p.m. Conditions are expected to be better in eastern Iowa, but still fairly cloudy. Western Iowa can have clear skies in the evening.

    The forecast looks best for October 15. The National Weather Service forecast shows cloud cover of about 2% for Des Moines on Tuesday evening. Conditions are similar in other parts of the state.

    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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