North State sky watchers have a chance to see a rare comet that’s visible to the naked eye this evening (and possibly the rest of the week.)
Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas graces the western sky in the early evening and is a striking object to view through binoculars. The last time this comet was in our part of the solar system was around 80,000 years ago, so this is your only chance to see it.
How to find the comet in the sky
Go outside about 45 minutes after sunset and look due west.
The planet Venus is easy to see a bit lower and to the south of the comet. Use it to guide you.
Find Venus, look to the right and up a bit, and if you have reasonably dark, clear skies, you’ll have no trouble spotting the comet.
Tonight will be the best chance to see the comet at its best, but given clear skies, it will be visible all week.
More about the comet
While a source of meteors, comets do not streak across the sky. You can see the comet's motion as it leaves the sun and Earth over days, but it will appear to hang in the sky as the moon or planets do.
The comet gradually rises in the evening sky and recedes from Earth, dimming through the middle of the month. Comets orbit the sun in long, parabolic orbits.
