A BRIGHT comet will be visible to the naked eye for the first time in 80,000 years this week.
Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is expected to reach peak brightness between 27 September and 2 October.
It’s long tail of dust and ice will be illuminated by the sun thanks to its orientation in the inner solar system, meaning it will be more visible to stargazers on Earth.
It’s possible comet A3 may have two tails, one whiteish and one blueish.
Some astronomers believe it could be as bright as the 20 brightest stars in the night sky.
Comet A3 comes from the Oort Cloud, a giant shell around our solar system that hosts millions of comets and other icy pieces of debris.
The space rock was discovered only in January 2023, by astronomers at China’s Tsuchinshan Observatory and South Africa’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope.
While the peak will last until 2 October, the comet will disappear from view on 30 September for those in midnorthern latitudes due to the light of dawn.
But those close to the equator should still be able to see C/2023 A3 until 2 October.
If you fail to see it this week – fear not.
There may be more chances to witness the once-in-a-lifetime flyby during clear evenings in mid-October.
Experts reckon it will be a challenging observation – but not impossible.
It will be visible low on the horizon an hour before sunrise during its peak.
The comet will then inch closer to the horizon with each passing morning.
The peak isn’t the only time for folks in the UK and the US to spot the rare display.
Stargazers in the UK and the US will likely have their best chance to see comet A3 in post-sunset skies around 12 October.
This is when it will have re-emerged from the sun’s glare and reach its closest proximity to Earth – at a safe distance of roughly 44million miles.
Comet A3 will be in the constellation Ophiuchus above the west-facing horizon.
You can download an astronomy app to help you find Ophiuchus in the sky.
While the comet should be visible to the naked eye, it never hurts to be prepared for a dimmer display.
It could be wise to have a good pair of stargazing binoculars or a small telescope to hand to enhance the view.
Here's what you need to know, according to Nasa...
The National Weather Service in Mobile is monitoring a low-pressure system near the Yucatan Peninsula, which could develop into a tropical depression later this week as it moves north into the Gulf of Mexico. While no immediate impact is expected for northwest Florida, residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for possible hazardous marine conditions and rip currents.
The post Hurricane Helene Watch. Here’s What We Know Now: appeared first on Mid Bay News.
A MOB has stormed an ape research centre and set it on fire after a chimp named Jeje who “no longer fears humans” killed a baby girl.
The beast ripped the eight-month-old from her mother’s back before taking her into the forest to butcher her.
Baby Yoh Hélène was found horrifically mutilated by the chimp 3km from the Nimba Mountains Nature Reserve.
Witnesses claim she had been disembowelled – perhaps with the help of Jeje’s jungle tools.
The baby’s death has since caused uproar amongst communities who have targeted their anger at the experts studying the animals.
Their fury is also partly due to scientists bringing the eight-month-old baby’s corpse to their Bossou Environment Research institute.
Angered locals ransacked the institutes building, destroying and settling alight expensive equipment including drones, computers and more than 200 documents, the centre’s manager claims.
Local Joseph Doré who took part in the attack said: “It’s the way she was killed, that’s what angered the population.”
Chief researcher Gen Yamakoshi told The Times that the monstrous killing was because the apes “no longer fear humans.”
He also said it wasn’t clear whether this attack or previous ones are for food or “excitement”.
The researcher said: “It is similar behaviour to how chimps treat one another.
“If they are excited they cannot control their behaviour.”
Ecologist Alidjiou Sylla supports the belief that the limited supply of food in the reserve has pushed the animals to leave protected areas more often which, in turn, has increased the likelihood of attacks.
Youth leader Moussa Koya also observed that while “it was not their will” to be violent, “it has become the habit of the chimpanzees.”
There are a mere seven chimps left in Guinea’s Bossou forest which forms part of Nimba Mountains Nature Reserved, close to the subsistence farming communities of the Nzerekore Region.
In 2022 the oldest chimp of the tribe, Fana, died aged 71 and left behind two sons – Foaf and Fanwa.
The little community of apes use stone hammers and anvils to open nuts which is believed to be the most sophisticated act ever observed of humanity’s genetically closest relative.
And while the apes live in the wild, they still share territory and resources with locals who protect them and believe them to be reincarnated ancestors.
But after a series of attacks, Bossou elder Michael Gamada Koïba said locals are now unsure on “what kind of chimpanzees they are”.
Up until 2003, the Bossou chimps had stood at around 21 animals, but lost seven to the flu that year.
It had also negatively been affected by human activities in the area.
Traditionally locals use slash-and-burn agriculture which sees people cultivate land until they become depleted, then clear forests to create new lands in a cycle.
And despite preserving a 320-hectare block of forest around Bossou, surrounding deforestation has cut it off from the remaining Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve – where numerous chimp communities reside.
The reserve is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and straddles Guinea’s bordrs with Liberia and Ivory Coast.
The Nimba Mountains also happen to be home to one of Guinea’s largest iron ore reserves which has sparked concern among environmentalists on the impact of mining on chimps.
GERARD GARNER once broke Wayne Rooney’s goal-scoring schoolboy record – but now stars for League Two side Barrow.
The 25-year-old was pipped to reach the very top as an 11-year-old before partnering up with Trent Alexander-Arnold in a front-two in Liverpool’s academy.
But while Champions League winner Trent has gone on to vice-captain Liverpool, Garner is adored by Barrow fans three divisions below.
The Cumbria outfit were thumped 5-0 by Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
But Garner came away with hat-trick hero Christopher Nkunku‘s shirt.
When he was 11 years old, the forward smashed Rooney’s all-time Liverpool Boys under-11s goal-scoring record with 76 goals in a season.
And he did with still two games left in Kirby’s 2010-11 season.
Many thought the Manchester United and England forward’s total of 72 goals in the 1996-97 term was unbeatable.
Coincidentally Garner and Rooney also went to the same school in Croxteth- albeit 14 years apart.
Garner told The Athletic in 2022: “You’d get a lot of people saying, ‘He’s gonna play for Liverpool, him’.”
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On his partnership with Trent he said: “One of the best players, but when you see him as a centre-forward, you never think, ‘He’s going to be the best right-back in the world one day’.”
But Garner unfortunately broke his foot while on holiday in Egypt, playing football with some Russian holidaymakers.
That kept him out for a significant amount of time and when he returned it was a transition from nine-a-side to 11-a-side.
It was also then decided that all the Liverpool academy teams would play 4-2-3-1, often forcing him to play out of position.
He left Liverpool when he was 15 years old and joined Fleetwood in 2017.
Garner then caught the attention of Joey Barton, who called him up to the first team.
There were loans to the likes of FC United of Manchester, Southport and Gateshead before Barrow signed him for an undisclosed club-record fee in January 2023.
Garner scored an unbelievable chip against Swindon Town at the start of this season.
Gerard Garner floats in a beauty for Barrow!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 7, 2024pic.twitter.com/dZRajY4tj2
WANDERING around Sainsbury’s Christmas showcase at Somerset House in London, I suddenly feel completely in the festive spirit – despite it still being September.
I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to taste the supermarket’s Christmas range before it hits supermarket shelves – and there were some real show stoppers that pleasantly surprised me.
I got a first taste of this year’s Christmas dinner staples, delicious desserts and festive tipples.
Although Christmas is still a few months away, supermarkets reveal their festive treats early at this time of year.
Sainsbury’s Christmas food has yet to hit shelves, but will be making its way to supermarkets gradually over the next few months.
The first wave of products will be released next week and will include bakery items and festive biscuits.
But shoppers will have to wait until December to get their hands on several seasonal puddings and joints of meat.
Walking into the showcase, one of the first things that caught my eye was the Taste the Difference-branded Lobster Thermidor Crumpets.
Oozing with butter and chunks of lobster, the crumpets melt in the mouth and feel like a very decadent treat.
So, I’m surprised when Graeme Hibbs, a product developer at Sainsbury’s, tells me that the crumpets used in the dish are the same as the ones normally sold in the supermarket’s bakery.
“This year our starters focus on fish, with more individual portions instead of sharing plates,” he said.
“These crumpets are perfect as a starter or for all day eating.”
And at £4.50 for two, I’m impressed by the quality of the snack, considering Lobster – a traditionally expensive dish – is involved.
Further down the table I spot the Slow Cooked Proper Christmas Dinner Box, which is also part of the Taste the Difference range.
For just £45 you get a buttermilk brined turkey wrapped in bacon and all the trimmings including roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, pigs in blankets and a rich turkey gravy.
The box serves four and can be cooked in just 55 minutes, making it perfect for busy families or those who may be working over the festive season.
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
It even comes with the foil tray to cook everything in.
The pork, chestnut and thyme stuffing would also be a great complement to the smoked streaky bacon and beef-fat roasted potatoes and tastes just like if you made it from scratch.
But dessert has always been the main event for me and this Christmas is no different.
This year, Sainsbury’s centre-piece dessert is a white chocolate mousse, which comes with a range of hidden centres.
The most eye-catching one for me was the indulgent Golden Forest dessert, which feeds nine and costs £15.
Outside is a creamy Belgian blonde chocolate mousse with coated shortcake biscuit balls.
But when scooped with a spoon, the pudding reveals a hidden centre of silky ginger spiced caramel sauce.
For those who prefer a fruity flavour, Sainsbury’s has put a twist on the traditional black forest gateau with its white forest ripple.
The outside is a similar white chocolate mousse, but in the centre of the desert is a hidden tangy cherry compote with a crunchy feuilletine base.
The white chocolate snowflakes, chocolate pearls and edible red glitter make it a beautiful addition to any Christmas table.
It serves ten people and costs just £20.
The popular Sticky Toffee liqueur is back this Christmas, too, after quickly becoming a family favourite last year.
At just £15 it’s an easy drink to have on hand for cocktails or after dinner tipples and the beautiful glass bottle makes it a perfect present too.
When I take a sip I’m impressed by its flavour, which tastes exactly like a Werther’s Original.
There are also Tiramisu and Berry Compote flavours which would make a perfect addition to any Christmas table.
We had a first look at Fortnum & Mason’s 2024 Christmas range including edible coal, £40 hamper & £265 advent calendar worth £1,000.
Plus, we reveal the full list of supermarket Christmas savings schemes – and how to get £25 free cash.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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PONTEFRACT races have been hit by massive delays after a jockey was rushed to hospital following a pre-race incident.
Duran Fentiman suffered a suspected broken leg after being unshipped while going to post in the 3.45pm.
The jockey, who was believed to be conscious and talking, has been taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
More than 40 minutes after the race was supposed to be off there was still no update on whether it would be run.
Trainers were given permission to withdraw their runners if they wished.
More to follow.
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