Comet seen once every 80,000 years could be visible this week

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Days after the Northern Lights were visible over the Carolinas, another rare celestial event could be coming this week, this one once every 80,000 years.

comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan ATLASwhich NASA said came closest to Earth over the weekend, could be visible in the Northern Hemisphere in the next few days.

NASA said the comet, which is nearly two miles across, likely traveled from here Oort Cloud in the outer reaches of the solar system and follows a “highly elliptical orbit”.

Even on its next flyby, the comet was about 71 million kilometers away.

The space agency said the rarely seen comet made its closest approach to the sun on September 27. Astronauts were able to snap a photo of the celestial sight flying through space on September 19th.

Near the sun, comets heat up, causing ice to turn into gas, which then combines with dust to form a tail that can stretch for millions of kilometers.

According to information, the highest visibility was from October 9th to 10th NASA; However, by October 14, the comet could still be visible between Arcturus, a star, and Venus. It may remain visible for several days afterward, until the end of the current lunar cycle.

Astronomers say the best time to see comets is just after dark and in an area with little human-generated light.

Related: Stunning photos: Northern lights dazzled in the Carolina sky

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