“All or Nothing” comet could light up Jordan’s sky later this month

Dr. Ammar Al-Sakaji, head of the Jordanian Astronomical Society, announced the discovery of a new comet named "Atlas C/2024 S1," which may shine as brightly as Venus and could be visible in broad daylight in the coming days.

Nicknamed the "all or nothing" comet due to the possibility of disintegrating as it nears its perihelion, the closest point to the sun, the comet could either disappear or offer a spectacular celestial event.

So far, there are no confirmed signs of disintegration.

If the comet’s nucleus remains intact, it will be an extraordinary astronomical event. However, if the nucleus breaks apart, fragments of the comet may still be visible.

Currently, the comet can be seen through telescopes in the constellation Crater, visible in the southern hemisphere. It is classified as a "non-periodic" comet and is approximately 133 million kilometers away from Earth.

The comet is expected to come closer to Earth on Thursday, October 24, reaching a distance of 131 million kilometers. It will rise 41 minutes before sunrise and will require a telescope for observation.

Between October 24 and 28, the comet may become visible to the naked eye, although the sun’s glare might hinder visibility.

On October 28, when the comet reaches its perihelion, its brightness could surpass that of Venus, making it one of the brightest astronomical events of the year. However, viewing it will require solar eclipse glasses or telescopes equipped with solar filters to avoid serious eye damage.