HONOLULU (KHON2) — Have you had a chance to see the rare 2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, slinging toward Earth from the outer reaches of the solar system.
According to officials, the comet made its closest pass this weekend, which is about 44 million miles.
Nick Bradley, owner of Stargazers of Hawaii, explained the comet was found at the beginning of 2023 and will be visible to the naked eye for the remainder of October.
“What you do need is to be looking west. So sunset sets in the west and about 45 minutes after sunset is when the sky is going to be dark enough for you to be able to see the comet,” Bradley said.
While the comet was already at its brightest on Saturday, it’s best to view the comet as soon as you can since it’s traveling further from the sun.
Bradley said the comet is the brightest to be seen within the past 20 years. Once it passes through, it will not return for another 80,000 years.
“I hope everyone gets to see it and hopefully the weather is good. You can actually use your phone to take a picture of it. You just put it on night mode and your camera will catch the comet.”