Comet A3 on an 81,000-year journey to Earth is here: How do you see it?

And I thought for you The trip was long.

A comet that has been on an 81,000-year journey to fly around Earth has finally arrived, and should be visible in our skies in the coming days. According to KSNT.

The space rock – called Comet C/2023 A3 T suchinshan-Atlas, or just A3 – was discovered just last year, and has been described as what could be the “comet of the decade” by The search for extraterrestrial intelligencealso known as the SETI Institute.

Putting it in perspective, this once-in-a-lifetime space rock is about 1,000 times rarer than seeing Halley's Comet, which arrives at our planet about once every 72 to 80 years.

While there was concern that A3 was unexpectedly dimming on its way to Earth – Previous reports included fears of its disintegration – “Comet A3 now appears to be regaining its brightness” and putting on a vibrant display, according to SETI.

The institute also indicated that it contains “anomalies” that the scientific community will be able to look into in the coming days.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit Already tracking A3 from space same On board the International Space StationWith fellow astronaut Matthew Dominique Pay attention to the “really cool” photos. From her trip. last Astronomers like Victor Rivera In Puerto Rico they also get a sneak peek while on land.

How to see comet A3

There will be two comet viewing windows over the coming weeks in the Northern Hemisphere – the first will be in the early morning of Friday, September 27, when A3 will be closest to the Sun.

Forbes reports On Friday A3 will have a predicted solar magnitude of 4.5 – less than one-fifth the brightness of the Sun.

However, the only way to see it is to wake up early, about an hour and a half before local sunrise.

In dark skies, look east-southeast about 75 minutes before daytime sunrise. It will remain visible until Wednesday, October 2, but A3 will dip closer to the horizon, removing some of its brightest glimmer.

Live streaming will also be available To see the comet.

Then, and perhaps easier for many, A3 will make its closest approach to Earth — 44 million miles away — an hour after sunset on Saturday, October 12, in the west.

While A3 is still visible, it will gently dim throughout October until the 30th.