The celestial body C/2025 A3 (Tsuchinshan) was first observed on January 5, 2025, marking it as the ninth comet identified by the Nanjing-based Chinese Academy of Sciences Observatory.
This newly confirmed comet has an orbital path extending between Jupiter and Neptune, with an orbital period exceeding 33 years. Its closest approach to the Sun is anticipated in May 2026.
Astronomers have determined that the comet's trajectory varies between 5.7 and 14.9 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, translating to distances between 855 million and 2.235 billion kilometers. This discovery emphasizes the advanced capabilities of the Chinese observatory in identifying celestial phenomena and solidifies its significant role in global astronomical research.
The finding highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration in the exploration of the cosmos and underscores China's contributions to the study of celestial bodies.