A brilliant comet may become visible in skies worldwide over the next few days for the first time in 160,000 years.
NASA indicated that predicting the future brightness of a comet is challenging, however, Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) is expected to possibly remain bright enough for naked-eye visibility.
As of Monday, the comet reached perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, affecting its brightness. Experts suggest it could be observed starting Monday night.
While specific visibility locations are uncertain, astronomers speculate that the comet, possibly shining as brightly as Venus, will be best viewed from the southern hemisphere.
Initially discovered last year by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, the comet will pass approximately 8.3 million miles from the Sun, earning it the classification of a "sun-skirting" comet, according to Dr. Shyam Balaji from King's College London.
Dr. Balaji highlighted this comet event as a one-in-160,000-years occurrence and mentioned the chances to catch sight of it around perihelion, with visibility dependent on local conditions and the comet's behavior.
People in the southern hemisphere, the optimal observation location, are advised by Dr. Balaji to gaze towards the eastern horizon pre-sunrise and the western horizon post-sunset to spot the comet. However, he cautioned that while it is anticipated to be "quite bright," comet brightness predictions are "notoriously uncertain."
In the northern hemisphere, including the UK, visibility might prove challenging due to the comet's relation to the Sun. Potential observers are urged to seek dark areas away from light pollution and utilize binoculars or a small telescope.
Dr. Balaji also stressed prudent observation practices near sunrise and sunset, advocating for tracking the comet's position to anticipate its appearance in the sky.
Concurrently, astronomers are monitoring the comet's trajectory. NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo from the International Space Station on Saturday, marveling at the comet's visit and exclaiming, "It is totally amazing to see a comet from orbit. Atlas C2024-G3 is paying us a visit."