‘Comet of the CENTURY’ streaks across UK in dazzling pics – how to see again before it vanishes for another 80,000 years
SPECTACULAR photographs revealed the “comet of the century” shooting over the UK last night.
Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was previously visible from Earth between 27 September and 2 October for the first time in roughly 80,000 years.
The sparkling comet was visible travelling across the London skyline, last night.
Other brits in Hampshire spotted the bright streak of light tearing through the twilight sky.
Incredible pictures showed the comet leaving a long orange tail in its path as it passed overhead.
Lucky spectators managed to see Comet A3 within the narrow window of it being dark enough to spot before it dipped below the horizon.
Scientists at the Royal Astronomical society have dubbed it the “comet of the century” because of its brightness and rarity.
The Nasa Earth Observatory had predicted the comet could come within about 70 million km (44 million miles) of Earth on Saturday.
But, if you missed the comet yesterday, there will be more opportunities to spot it again this month.
Comet A3 is expected to reappear until October 30, just after sunset.
However, after this window closes, the comet won’t be visible on Earth again for another 80,000 years.
Dr Robert Massey, who works at the RAS suggested Brits go out “immediately after sunset” with a pair of binoculars for the best chance of spotting the meteorological phenomenon.
He also urged people to find higher ground and turn their gaze west towards the horizon.
Meanwhile, Nasa astronaut Matthew Dominick wrote on X: “This comet is going to make for some really cool images as it gets closer to the Sun.”
The comet was also visible across the globe, with sightings in the USA, Spain, Italy, Uruguay and Indonesia.
How to see Comet A3
While the comet should be visible to the naked eye, it never hurts to be prepared for a dimmer display.
Having a good pair of stargazing binoculars or a small telescope to hand will enhance the view.
Comet A3 will be in the constellation Ophiuchus above the west-facing horizon.
You can download an astronomy app to help you find Ophiuchus in the sky.
It’s important to note that cloud cover may scupper your view of the ‘once in a lifetime’ comet.
The moon’s light may also interfere with the brightness of the space rock.
What's the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet?
Here's what you need to know, according to Nasa...
- Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth)
- Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids
- Meteor: If a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it’ll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up
- Meteorite: If a meteoroid doesn’t vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth’s atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite
- Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However rather than being made mostly of rock, a comet contains lots of ice and gas, which can result in amazing tails forming behind them (thanks to the ice and dust vaporizing)