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Is there a comet tonight? This is how you see comet A3

Is there a comet tonight? This is how you see comet A3

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A comet that only occurs once in many lifetimes is speeding past Earth.

Comet C/2023 A3 – known simply as Comet A3 – was first discovered last year and was first visible in the night sky earlier this month, with the peak of its sighting occurring from October 16 to 20.

The comet is expected to swing through our solar system sometime in 80,000 years and never again.

Is there a comet tonight?

Comet A3 will be visible in the night sky tonight – and for the next few nights – if you know what to look for.

About 45 minutes after sunset, go outside and look in the direction the sun is setting. Use your hand as a guide as to where to look. Hold your arm straight out, make a fist, and align it with the horizon. The comet should be visible at this general point in the sky. Then scan the area and look for a blurry, glowing ball slowly moving across the horizon.

If the night sky is dark enough – we have a full supermoon tonight – you should be able to track Comet A3 for an hour or more as it moves from right to left before it sinks below the horizon.

Sunday evening will likely be your last chance to see Comet A3.

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