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
Low delivers days of gusty conditions. Into the weekend. . . Thursday 17 September 2026
Wind map showing low pressure near the Faroe Islands, with winds reaching 35 mph around Aberdeen and Dublin and stronger Atlantic winds west of the UK.
Thursday 17 September 2026

Into the weekend

Low delivers days of gusty conditions
Severe weather in southern Europe. Thunderstorms & heavy rain. . Weather Videos. Wednesday 9 September 2026
On the left, dark storm clouds over a coastline. On the right, a weather map shows thunderstorms over the western Mediterranean, with warning symbols for tornadoes, storms and hail.
Weather VideosWednesday 9 September 2026

Thunderstorms & heavy rain

Severe weather in southern Europe
Severe weather rolls on in Europe. Heavy rain and hail. . . Thursday 17 September 2026
Weather radar showing severe thunderstorms and frequent lightning over northern Italy.
Thursday 17 September 2026

Heavy rain and hail

Severe weather rolls on in Europe
All weather news
This might also interest you
A stormy week in the skies above. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 30 August 2026
Split image showing lightning branching beneath dark storm clouds above rooftops on the left and an orange-pink sunset over a calm sea on the right.
Sunday 30 August 2026

Your weather - Your shots

A stormy week in the skies above
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
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
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