The Chinese Astronomical Observatory discovers a new comet

NANJING, March 2 (Xinhua) — An object seen sporadically across the sky in January has been confirmed by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center as a comet.

The comet was first spotted on January 9 by astronomers at the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The said center confirmed the discovery last Wednesday and named it Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.

The comet is making its way towards the sun, where it will rapidly increase in brightness. It is expected to be visible to the naked eye in September 2024, according to the astronomical observatory. /ts/