This stunning image of comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS was taken by Michael Jäger on March 18, 2020  and shows its bright green hue. The exact size of the rocky icy core of the strange comet isn't known but is likely only a few miles across - but it has a much larg This stunning image of comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS was taken by Michael Jäger on March 18, 2020 and shows its bright green hue. The exact size of the rocky icy core of the strange comet isn't known but is likely only a few miles across - but it has a much larg

Comet FIVE times the size of Jupiter is set to light up the night skies

 ... in April - and it could be brighter than Venus

  • The comet was discovered on December 28, 2019 in the area of Ursa Major
  • Its currently in Mars' orbit but is on its way towards the Sun and getting brighter 
  • It was spotted by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS)
  • If it doesn't break up it will reach its closest point to the Sun by the end of May

Atlas, a massive comet five times the size of Jupiter and about half the size of the Sun, will appear brighter than Venus from Earth by the end of April.

The exact size of the rocky icy core of the strange comet isn't known but is likely only a few miles across - but it has a much larger atmosphere.

It's currently close to Mars' orbit but is increasing in speed as it makes its way towards the Sun and will make its closest approach to Earth in April.

When it gets towards the inner solar system it will become one of the brightest objects in the night sky and potentially the 'comet of a generation'. 

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By Ryan Morrison / Daily Mail Reporter
(Source: dailymail.co.uk; March 31, 2020; https://is.gd/3QqE0M)
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