Rare comet lights up skies for the first time in 160,000 years
Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), a rare celestial visitor last observed 160,000 years ago, is now visible in the night sky, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The comet was discovered in 2024 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
The comet reached its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion, earlier this week. At a distance of 14 million kilometres from the Sun, it is classified as a “sun-skirting” comet. Its brightness is expected to make it visible in the southern hemisphere, particularly along the eastern horizon before sunrise and the western horizon after sunset.
In the northern hemisphere, viewing conditions are less favorable due to the comet’s position relative to the Sun, but observers may still locate it in areas with clear skies and minimal light pollution. However, the brightness of comets can be difficult to predict. Visibility will continue to decline throughout January as the comet dims.
Astronomers recommend using binoculars or cameras with telephoto lenses for a closer look at the comet. However, experts caution against using binoculars near the sun, as accidental exposure can be harmful. The visibility of the comet depends on your geographical latitude. Specialized tools, such as apps or the Timeanddate.com night sky page, can help determine the best time for observation.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit recently captured an image of Comet Atlas from the International Space Station, highlighting its features.
As previously reported, NASA satellites spotted a “Ghost Island” in the Caspian Sea.
