The Earth's red twin is set to have a rare cosmic date with a comet that will pass close to Mars' orbit on Oct. 19 -- and you're invited to witness the close encounter of the galactic kind.
Comet Siding Spring, also known as C/2013 A1, will approach Mars and will be viewable by skywatchers. It is estimated to buzz even closer to Mars than the moon orbits around the Earth.
Astronomers at NASA are equally excited about the comet's fly-by. Star gazers are also readying their telescopes. The event will be the first time on record that Comet Siding Spring will enter the inner solar system and could prove extremely insightful into the origins and make-up of the early universe.
The satellites and rovers stationed on and around Mars also give scientists unique front row seats to the comet's approach and exit from the inner solar system, a feat that was once thought impossible. Although they do not expect the comet to actually collide with the Red Planet, nor do they think the debris caused by the comet will pose any danger, precautions are being taken anyway to ensure that the orbiters around Mars are stationed on the safe side of the planet, well away from the dust tail.
Those at home who want to check out Comet Siding Spring may do so with a pair of binoculars or a telescope with an aperture of at least eight inches, according to Spacewatching Columnist Joe Rao of Space.com.
Comet Siding Spring is the size of a mountain, but to casual skywatchers it will appear fuzzier than the sharp-pointed stars in the night sky.
"We should not expect the comet to get any brighter than 10th magnitude. That's about 60 times dimmer than the faintest star visible to the eye without any optical aid," wrote Rao.
Fortunately, with the moon starting to rise later each night, the conditions of the sky should be dark enough to be able to pick up the comet as it is high enough above the southern horizon.
