If you haven’t ventured out and looked up at the skies over the last week at night — or really all of 2024 — you’re missing out on quite the show.
First, there were the northern lights that danced and splashed a pallet of colors across the nighttime skies that marveled sky-lookers. And now it’s been the once-in-a-lifetime comet.
The comet first entered our orbit Oct. 12 when it was closest to Earth at approximately 44 million miles. Since then, observers, especially in Wisconsin, have spotted the comet called C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS every night.
How long will the comet be visible? Here’s what to know about the comet, which will soon disappear for 80,000 years.
Can I see the comet tonight?
The comet was at peak viewing earlier this week but it’s now becoming tougher to see. The comet was as bright as the North Star until Oct. 16. And as it continues to move away from Earth, its brightness is diminishing but still could be visible with the naked eye until Oct. 26, Space.com predicted.
By early November, the comet will completely fade from view.
Is the comet visible with the naked eye?
Earlier in the week, the comet was visible with the naked eye and you could captured it with your iPhone. But now, you likely will need binoculars or a telescope to see it as the comet dims.
Like the northern lights, the darker the spot without a lot of light pollution is best for viewing.
The Hunter’s Moon will impact comet’s visibility
The full Hunter’s Moon on Thursday didn’t help the viewing experience of the comet, given it’s the brightest full “supermoon” of the year, Space.com said.
But since the moon is rising later Friday-Sunday, viewers will have a better chance to see the comet even as it fades.
Best comet photos in Wisconsin this week
The comet has wowed folks all week. Here’s a sample of the best photos:
Check out the northern lights in 2024
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Will the comet be visible tonight? How to watch
