The rare comet C/2023A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, visible once every 80,000 years, was spotted across different states in the United States over the weekend. Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere and Tropics had the best chance to see it until October 8, with better opportunities for those in the Northern Hemisphere in the following days. The comet was expected to come within 44 million miles of Earth on October 12 and could be seen with the naked eye, though binoculars may be needed as it gets higher in the night sky. Named after the observatories that first discovered it in China and South Africa last year, sightings were reported in California, Virginia, and New Hampshire. The comet made its closest pass by the Sun in late September and is expected to be visible throughout October, though it will become less bright as it moves away from the sun. NASA’s Europa Clipper mission to search for life on Jupiter’s moon is also set to launch soon.
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Images reveal Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS gliding through the skies above the US.
