Astronomers at China’s Purple Mountain Observatory have added a new celestial body to the night sky. On January 5, they spotted a previously unseen comet, which has since been confirmed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and designated as C/2025 A3 (Tsuchinshan).
This discovery marks the ninth time the Nanjing-based observatory, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has identified a comet. The Purple Mountain Observatory, renowned for its contributions to astronomy, continues to enhance our understanding of the cosmos.
The comet C/2025 A3 traces an elliptical orbit between Jupiter and Neptune, with an orbital period exceeding 33 years. Its closest approach to the sun, known as perihelion, is projected for May 2026. Even at perihelion, the comet will remain beyond the orbit of Jupiter, maintaining a safe distance from both Earth and the inner solar system.
The comet’s journey spans a distance from the sun ranging between 5.7 astronomical units (AU) at its nearest point to 14.9 AU at its farthest. To put this into perspective, one AU is approximately 150 million kilometers, the average distance from the Earth to the sun.
The confirmation of C/2025 A3 by the IAU’s Minor Planet Center underscores the significant role of Chinese astronomers in global astronomical research. The Purple Mountain Observatory shared the news on its official WeChat account, expressing excitement over this latest addition to their discoveries.
This achievement not only highlights China’s growing presence in space exploration but also contributes valuable data to the international scientific community. As the comet continues its orbit, astronomers worldwide will have the opportunity to observe and study this distant traveler, enhancing our understanding of the outer reaches of our solar system.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com