SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administrationa “once in a lifetime comet” is clearly visible to Utahns, thanks to a near-passage of Earth that happens once every 80,000 years.

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan ATLAS can be seen from Earth with the right timing and equipment. “October. 14-24 is the best time to observeusing binoculars or a small telescope,” NASA said. At the time of writing this article, the comet is approximately 72.8 million kilometers from Earth, according to SkyLive.

Rare comet visible in the night sky won’t return for 80,000 years

According to NASA, although the comet is difficult to see during the day, there is a chance it can be seen at dusk.

According to tonight SkyLive Planetariumthe comet will appear nearly 40 degrees above the horizon, above both Mercury and Venus in the southwestern sky. Because the sun sets just before 7 p.m. local time, the best time to view it is about 45 minutes after sunset, at mid-twilight, according to NASA.

The National Weather Service expect cloud cover over the next two nights (Monday and Tuesday) to be the best chance to see the comet in the short-term forecast this week. This comet can be seen with the naked eye if space conditions are right.

NASA states that data estimates Tsuchinshan-ATLAS stellar size is between 2 and 4, making it difficult to see during the day. Stellar magnitude is measured on a logarithmic scale, making a magnitude 1 star exactly 100 times brighter than a magnitude 6 star.

The lower the number, the brighter the celestial body is. For example, the brightness of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is estimated at +2 to +4 versus Venus’ magnitude of –4 (Venus is the brighter of the two).

NASA says the comet may get a small boost in brightness due to what’s called “forward scatter.” Forward scatter is defined as a phenomenon in which scattered particles are deflected in the forward direction, which is used in determining intramolecular and interatomic directions on surfaces in physics and astronomy research.

According to NASA calculations, the comet’s magnitude could reach magnitude -1 with forward scatter, a stellar brightness close to the star. Sirius. That would make the comet visible to the naked eye.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit ABC4 Utah.