How to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet this week: Bright space rock will be visible without a telescope for the first time in 80,000 YEARS - and you don't want to miss it
It was last witnessed by some of the first humans to venture out of Africa 80,000 years ago. Comet C/2023 A3 was only discovered early last year, but based on its orbital trajectory scientists estimate that it last passed Earth 80,000 years ago. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who is currently aboard the International Space Station, posted a stunning clip of the comet from his unique vantage point. It's pictured here in this stunning snap, posted as NASA's 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' on Monday Comet C/2023 A3: Key facts Discovered: January 9, 2023 Orbital period: 80,000 years Next perihelion: September 27, 2024 Diameter: Up to 25 miles The eight-second time-lapse video clip shows the celestial object from the space station's cupola windows. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who is currently aboard the International Space Station, posted a stunning clip of the comet from his unique vantage point C/2023 A3 was first documented only last year by telescopes in South Africa, Chile and Hawaii as it came closer and closer to Earth It will reach 'perihelion' – its closest point to the sun in its 80,000 year orbit – on Friday, September 27.
Mesmerizing pictures show once-in-a-lifetime comet dart across South Carolina sky
Look up! You can see a bright green comet making a rare trip across the Earth's sky
Hubble Space Telescope captures breaking of comet Atlas into dozens of pieces
Discover Related
NASA’s Webb telescope captures photos of the asteroid that won’t hit Earth in 2032
Why asteroid 2024 YR4 is unlikely to hit Earth in 2032 and how scientists keep track
Nasa to turn James Webb Telescope towards asteroid that could collide with Earth
Newly spotted asteroid has a tiny chance of hitting Earth in 2032
Quadrantid Meteor Shower: First 'shooting stars' of 2025 – when and where to watch
'Dark comets': Nasa studies mysterious new kids in our solar system
Rare "outburst" meteor shower will be visible this weekend
Meteor shower to grace Earth this weekend. Here’s how to see it