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
Widespread thunderstorm risk in the UK. Heavy rain and hail too. . . Tuesday 25 August 2026
Split weather graphic showing a yellow thunderstorm warning across much of England alongside radar with heavy showers and frequent lightning around London and southeast England.
Tuesday 25 August 2026

Heavy rain and hail too

Widespread thunderstorm risk in the UK
Heavy showers prompt flash flood risk. Thunder and hail. . . Wednesday 26 August 2026
Weather radar map showing heavy shower around Nottingham and Leicester, with flood warning symbols highlighting areas at risk across the East Midlands.
Wednesday 26 August 2026

Thunder and hail

Heavy showers prompt flash flood risk
Europe's storm situation still volatile. Supercell danger. . . Friday 28 August 2026
Split screen. On the left, a weather map of Europe showing thunderstorms, lightning and a warning symbol. On the right, a photograph of a severe thunderstorm
Friday 28 August 2026

Supercell danger

Europe's storm situation still volatile
All weather news
This might also interest you
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
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
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