Comet C/2023 A3, known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is set to make a rare appearance in Earth's skies. This celestial visitor hasn't been visible for around 80,000 years, making its return an exciting event for astronomers and skywatchers alike. The comet will be visible in the early morning hours, from Friday to Monday, offering a fleeting glimpse of its star-like form.

A rare celestial sight

Astronaut Matthew Dominick, aboard the International Space Station, recently captured video footage of the comet. He described it as looking like a “fuzzy star” from the station's cupola windows. Using a 200mm lens, Dominick hinted that as the comet gets closer to the Sun, it will provide some incredible images.

So far Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looks like a fuzzy star to the naked eye looking out the cupola windows. But with a 200mm, f2 lens at 1/8s exposure you can really start to see it. This comet is going to make for some really cool images as it gets closer to the sun. For now a pic.twitter.com/JstaSLJ4Ui
Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) September 19, 2024

What to expect in the sky

Amateur astronomer Stuart Atkinson shared that the comet will appear beneath the Moon, low in the eastern sky. He advised using binoculars for the best view, as it may be difficult to spot with the naked eye. Atkinson described the comet as a "fuzzy star with a misty tail."

You can use the Moon to find Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in the sky before sunrise later this week. The comet will look like a fuzzy star with a misty tail, beneath the Moon, v low in the east. You might need binoculars to see it. (Charts drawn for UK but visible elsewhere too) pic.twitter.com/hUISrEqEoT Stuart Atkinson (@mars_stu) September 23, 2024

Key dates for comet viewing

According to BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Comet C/2023 A3 will reach its closest point to the Sun on 28 September 2024. By late September, it could shine as bright as magnitude +0.6, visible just before sunrise. October 10 offers another viewing opportunity when the comet moves into the evening sky, predicted to still glow at magnitude +0.8.

This once-in-a-lifetime event offers a chance to witness a comet that has travelled through space for millennia before returning to Earth's skies.