Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Once in a lifetime comet in view

08:00
11 October 2024

Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas
Once in a lifetime comet in view

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS pictured over western Japan in early October 2024.
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas pictured over western Japan on October 1. - © picture alliance

A once-in-a-lifetime comet is currently within sight as it returns to our orbit for the first time in 80,000 years.

Comet C/2023 A3, also called Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is so close that, with good weather conditions, it will be visible to the naked eye.

The comet has passed its closest approach to the Sun, at which point it could have disintegrated, and will now quickly return into view.

Current visibility

From October 12th, the comet will be visible across the Northern Hemisphere for an hour after sunset each day. Look to the west, where the Sun sets, to spot the comet blazing through the sky.

Did you know?

Comets consist of ice, dust, and rocks. As they near the Sun, they become brighter but run the risk of falling apart as the heat increases. 

As with any astronomical event, you will have a greater chance of seeing the comet in a dark area away from light pollution.

Conditions are looking ideal for viewing on Saturday night, with largely clear skies and dry conditions, though a cloudier night to come on Sunday.

Remember to check the WeatherRadar before heading out to find the best day.

October's astronomy outlookread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Heat becoming a bigger factor in drought. New study. . . Thursday 23 July 2026
A hand holds dry, dusty earth above a parched field. The ground is cracked and covered with plant debris – a sign of prolonged drought.
Thursday 23 July 2026

New study

Heat becoming a bigger factor in drought
Typhoon warning for China. Up to 500 mm of rain. . . Friday 24 July 2026
Weather map of the southern Chinese coast and Taiwan showing a powerful tropical cyclone. The eye of the storm is located near the coastal city of Shantou in the Chinese province of Guangdong. Around the centre, intense shades of red, pink and violet indicate gale-force winds, whilst a large orange wind field extends as far as the west coast of Taiwan. An overlaid windsack warning sign indicates dangerous storm winds. Cities such as Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Taipei and Taichung are shown, as are wind speeds and white flow lines illustrating the cyclonic air circulation.
Friday 24 July 2026

Up to 500 mm of rain

Typhoon warning for China
A wet start before conditions settle. Commonwealth Games 2026. . . Wednesday 22 July 2026
Split image showing a weather map for western Scotland with widespread rain around Glasgow on the left, and runners poised at a starting line on an athletics track on the right.
Wednesday 22 July 2026

Commonwealth Games 2026

A wet start before conditions settle
All weather news
This might also interest you
Super Typhoon Bavi threatens Taiwan. Up to 1,000 mm of rain. . Weather Videos. Wednesday 8 July 2026
The image shows an intense tropical cyclone over the western Pacific, east of Taiwan and the Philippines. The centre of the system is depicted as a light purple and white vortex with a clearly visible eye, surrounded by a ring of red and orange areas indicating the strongest wind speeds. A white arrow marks the typhoon’s predicted track towards the north-west, in the direction of Taiwan. To the west of the storm lie the Philippines, with the cities of Manila and Cebu; to the north of these lies Taiwan, with Taipei. Further west, the Chinese coast, including Hong Kong, and parts of Vietnam can be seen. The coloured wind map shows predominantly green areas outside the storm’s core, indicating significantly weaker winds. White streamlines illustrate the typhoon’s anti-clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere. The highest wind speeds are concentrated around the eye of the cyclone.
Weather VideosWednesday 8 July 2026

Up to 1,000 mm of rain

Super Typhoon Bavi threatens Taiwan
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList