A Once-in-a-Lifetime Comet Will Be Visible From North America This Year—Here's How to See It

Stargazers were already treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience earlier this year when a total solar eclipse took over the sky in April. Now, astronomers are predicting another rare celestial event will be visible to the naked eye in 2024—Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3), which is being touted as the "comet of the century."

The comet was discovered in February 2023 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), a robotic early warning system designed for detecting near-Earth asteroids. It was initially believed to be an asteroid before being identified as a comet, according to Space.com.

As it approaches earth, the comet has increased in brightness and started to develop a tail. As of May 2024, the comet's magnitude reached around 10, making it a beautiful sight for stargazers with telescopes. Some observers who have already spotted Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) reported seeing a condensed coma and a curving tail, according to Lowell Observatory.

Currently, the comet is favoring the southern hemisphere but it is expected to be visible in the northern hemisphere in late September throughout October. According to StarWalk.space, the comet will be brightest around its closest approach to earth, which is expected to occur on October 12. During this time, the comet will be located relatively high above the horizon in the evening sky.

While the comet is anticipated to brighten further as it approaches the sun, it's important to keep in mind that comets are very unpredictable. For your best shot at seeing the rare phenomenon, seek out dark skies away from city lights and air pollution. Plan to view the comet during early morning hours or late in the evening. Clouds or haze can disrupt the view, so check local weather forecasts.