10 Cosmic Delights: Stargazing Marvels of 2023 – From Comets to Supernovas, 2023’s Year of Astronomical Wonders.

Introduction:

Hello to all the space enthusiasts and my friends! I hope you’re doing well. As you can guess about the topic from the tagline, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and refresh our memories about the amazing celestial phenomena of 2023. They say you don’t just need eyes to see the night sky; you have to connect your emotions to it to witness wonders. So, join me on this celestial journey where we’ll discuss events like comets, supernovas, meteorites, auroras, and space debris.

So, the night sky of 2023 delivered some unforgettable views, right from fiery comets to extraordinary auroras. And you know the most interesting part? We even found a lost astronaut tool bag floating through space. Amazing, isn’t it? Without any further delay, let’s start with the list of some of the most memorable skywatching sights of this year.

1) A Close Encounter with Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) (February 1).

  ^{_{c/2022 E3 (credit:Joseph Simon)}}

The year 2023 began with a remarkable celestial event – a very close encounter with Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). What makes this comet particularly special is its status as a newly discovered celestial object. It executed a close approach to Earth on February 21, passing within the range of 28 million miles, equivalent to 42 million kilometers. Notably, this marked the comet’s first approach in an astounding 50,000 years.

The first discovery of this comet was made in March 2022. As astronomers delved into the details, they found that Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) originated from the outer boundaries of our solar system, specifically within the Oort Cloud. However, what set this comet apart was its remarkable brightness. The bright green glow of the comet was observable with the assistance of binoculars or a small telescope. When the comet was traveling through the inner solar system, its orbit underwent an alteration, redirecting it on a trajectory toward the outer solar system. What makes the view of this comet extremely rare is that it was both the first and the last visit of this celestial body near Earth’s orbit. The images captured by astrophotographers and stargazers worldwide during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity add to the significance of this cosmic event.

2) Pinwheel Galaxy’s Supernova (May 19).

The second on our list is the Pinwheel Galaxy. Astronomers recently made an exciting discovery—a new supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy, also known as Messier 101 or M101. Situated 21 million light-years away from our home planet Earth, this galaxy caught their attention during routine skywatching. They observed a bright burst of light in one of the Pinwheel Galaxy’s arms, leading them to conclude that a massive star had reached the end of its life and exploded in the stellar event known as a supernova.

 The name of the exploding supernova was SN 2023ixf. The first image of this erupting celestial event was captured by an experienced supernova observer named Koichi Itagaki from Yamagata, Japan, on May 19, 2023. Despite the actual age of the exploding supernova being approximately 21 million light-years (as the light took about 21 million years to reach Earth), SN 2023ixf stood out as one of the largest and brightest supernovas seen in a decade. In fact, its brilliance was so pronounced that it could be observed using even a small telescope.

3) Betelgeuse’s Surprising Shine (Throughout the Year):

_{(Image credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)}

The third on the list is Betelgeuse’s Surprising Shine (Throughout the Year).While astronomers were looking at the night sky, they observed something extraordinary and interesting. What caught their attention was a noticeable brightening of the very popular star known as Betelgeuse, located in the Orion constellation. By closely monitoring the star’s brightness, scientists and astronomers concluded that it may soon go into a supernova. In the early history of this star, it typically ranks as the 10th brightest star in the night sky. However, during the year 2023, its brightness increased to 140% of the usual, earning it the 7th spot among the brightest stars. This sudden change in brightness suggests that the star may be nearing the end of its life cycle and could go supernova soon.

4. Moon Struck: Meteorite Impact (February 23):

_{Credit: (Getty images)}

The third on our list is the meteorite impact on the moon’s surface on  February 23, a space rock, also known as a meteorite, smacked into the Moon, and a Japanese astronomer caught the bright explosion on camera. This meteorite hit the side of the Moon that’s in the dark during our nighttime, close to the Ideler L crater, a bit northwest of the Pitiscus crater. Zooming in at an average speed of 30,000 mph, or 8.3 miles per second, meteor impacts create big craters on the Moon’s surface. These impacts generate a lot of heat and a bright burst of light that we can see from Earth when it happens during the Moon’s nighttime. The crash site, which you can watch in a video on Space.com, is expected to be around 39 feet in diameter. It’s like a quick, fiery show in the dark lunar sky!

5. Magnetic Storm Magic: Auroras Light Up (March 23):

 _{(Image credit: Elena Pueyo via Getty Images)}

In March, an incredibly strong geomagnetic storm treated the skies above New Mexico and Arizona to a breathtaking aurora show. Auroras happen when charged bits from solar wind meet molecules in Earth’s air. Usually, we see these colorful displays up north where Earth’s magnetic field directs the solar particles. But sometimes, powerful solar bursts, called coronal mass ejections, bring auroras to lower latitudes.

On March 23, a hefty solar eruption caused a major G4 storm, as classified by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This scale rates space weather from 1 to 5, and this storm took everyone by surprise. The night sky lit up across many states, offering a chance for skywatchers to capture amazing aurora photos. It’s a reminder that even space has its unexpected light shows, and March 23rd brought a dazzling performance for those lucky enough to witness it.

6. Exceptional “Super Blue Moon” Delights (August 30).

_{(Image credit: Josh Dinner/Future)}

In August, skywatchers enjoyed a special celestial show—a rare “super blue moon,” marking the second and closest full moon of the month. A “supermoon” happens when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it look larger and brighter in the night sky. On August 30, this full moon was only 222,043 miles away, compared to its usual 238,855 miles, making it the closest of all the full supermoons in 2023. It was also the second full moon of the month, earning the title of a “blue moon,” resulting in the rare “super blue moon” moniker. While blue moons and full supermoons are quite common individually, having a moon that’s both blue and super is a bit rare. The last time this occurred was in December 2009, and the next one won’t happen until August 2037.

7. Comet Nishimura’s Sun Dance (September 17).

_{Comet Nishimura. (Image credit: Gianluca Masi)}

The newly spotted Comet Nishimura, also named C/2023 P1, went on a daring journey around the Sun, coming within just 20.5 million miles on September 17. Capturing this celestial event, one of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft, STEREO-A, snapped images of the sun’s outer atmosphere on September 19. The pictures indicate that the comet survived the solar encounter, although there might be some lasting effects from the sun’s heat. This bright comet was first identified by Japanese amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura from Kakegawa City, Japan, on August 12th. It’s fascinating how a new comet can unexpectedly grace our cosmic neighborhood, and the images captured during its close dance with the sun provide a glimpse into its journey.

8. Annular Solar Eclipse’s Celestial Ring Dance (October 14).

_{(Image credit: Getty Images)}

On October 14, skywatchers were treated to a mesmerizing annular solar eclipse, featuring a captivating “ring of fire.” During this rare event, the Moon came directly between the Earth and the Sun but didn’t fully cover the Sun, creating a spectacular ring-like effect. The eclipse journeyed through eight U.S. states before enchanting observers in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. Millions of people were captivated by the celestial show, making it a prime opportunity for capturing stunning eclipse photos.

9. Lost Tool Bag During ISS Spacewalk (November 15).

_{(Image credit: NASA/JSC)}

In November, during a spacewalk on the International Space Station (ISS), two astronauts accidentally let go of a bright white tool bag, and now it’s floating about 258 miles above Earth. The Virtual Telescope Project captured footage of this floating tool bag on November 15. Fortunately, it’s not on a collision course with the ISS and is expected to stay in space for a few months before safely burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. Losing tools during spacewalks isn’t uncommon, as the bulky spacesuit gloves can make it tricky for astronauts to maintain a tight grip on their equipment in the weightless environment of space.

10. “Devil Comet” 12P/Pons-Brooks and its Spectacular Outburst (November 14).

_{Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, the “Devil Comet.” (Image credit: Comet Chasers/Richard Miles)}

The “Devil Comet,” officially named 12P/Pons-Brooks, is making its way towards Earth and might shine bright enough to be seen without a telescope by March 2024. This comet discovered back in 1812, is notorious for its explosive eruptions that create a glowing halo resembling devil horns. A recent event on November 14, witnessed by amateur astronomer Eliot Herman, revealed a whopping 100-fold increase in the comet’s brightness—the largest outburst yet. Racing through space at 40,000 mph, this icy volcanic comet, with a core of ice, gas, and dust encased in an icy outer shell, will come closest to Earth on June 2, 2024, at a distance of 144 million miles.

Conclusion:

 A Celestial Odyssey in 2023

As we bid farewell to the star-studded canvas of 2023, it’s impossible not to be awestruck by the celestial spectacles that graced our night sky. From the mesmerizing green glow of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) during its rare rendezvous with Earth to the distant explosion of a stellar giant in the Pinwheel Galaxy, each event painted the cosmos with its unique brilliance.

Betelgeuse’s unexpected luminosity hinted at the cosmic drama unfolding in the Orion constellation, while the moon itself became a stage for a dramatic meteorite impact, leaving a luminous scar for all lunar admirers. The annular solar eclipse in October provided a breathtaking display of the moon’s delicate dance with the sun, forming the elusive “ring of fire.”

Not even the International Space Station could escape the cosmic narrative, losing a tool bag during a November spacewalk—a fleeting testament to the challenges and wonders of human exploration.

As we anticipate the icy volcanic dance of the “Devil Comet” in the coming years, the memories of 2023’s celestial ballet will linger—a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty and boundless mysteries that the universe graciously unfolds before our eyes. Let these celestial tales echo in our minds, inspiring a continued fascination with the vastness that lies beyond, beckoning us to gaze upward and dream of the cosmic wonders yet to unfold.