Expert reveals how to see once-in-a-lifetime comet that won't be visible again for another 160,000 years
Avid stargazers should ready themselves to view a comet that won't be visible again for another 160,000 years.
It was recently announced that Comet G3 ATLAS (C/2024), which was only discovered in April 2024, is orbiting the Sun and would be visible to the naked eye.
The comet was 407 million miles away from Earth when astronomers first came across it last year.
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Now it's been dubbed as 'the brightest comet of 2025 so far' by experts, but - of course - people are being urged not to stare directly at the Sun in the hopes of getting a glimpse of the exclusive meteorite.
Monday (January 13) was predicted to be when the comet was at its closest approach, but it will remain 'extremely low in the southwestern sky' from today (January 15) until Saturday (January 18).
Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said that ATLAS is expected to be pretty bright.
Explaining what influences its brightness, Dr Balaji said: "The comet's brightness will be influenced by its proximity to the Sun, which causes ice and frozen gases to sublimate, creating a coma and potentially a tail.
"While some predictions suggest it could become quite bright, comet brightness predictions are notoriously uncertain. Many comets end up being fainter than initially expected."
Regarding its visibility for observers in the Northern Hemisphere - the UK and North America included - it might be somewhat 'challenging'.
"Viewing conditions may be challenging due to the comet's position relative to the Sun," said Dr Balaji.
"Visibility will depend heavily on local conditions and the comet's actual brightness. Observers should consult local astronomy resources for up-to-date viewing recommendations as the date approaches."
Elsewhere, the ongoing LA wildfires may also make things difficult too.
"The smoke from the fires and our current weather patterns won’t help,” Tim Brothers, Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told USA Today.
How to see the comet
In light of the challenging viewing, Dr Balaji gave some tips on how to make your chances of seeing the phenomena higher.
He advises that you find a viewing point away from city lights; consider using binoculars or a small telescope (as comets often appear dimmer than predicted); use current astronomical software or websites to find the comet's latest position; and to check reliable astronomy websites for updated viewing information.
Dr Balaji added that people should exercise caution when trying to view the comet during sunrise or sunset.
Niamh Shackleton