Exciting Comet in California Skies: Catch It Now!

Did you spot something unusual in the sky last night? Many people in California saw a flash, which was actually a comet named Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. This comet is currently around 70 million kilometers away from Earth. Scientists say it's best to look towards the western sky just after sunset for the next few weeks to see it. The comet won't be visible again for a whopping 80,000 years! So, grab your binoculars and enjoy this rare sight while you can. The comet, discovered in 2023, originated from the Oort Cloud, a distant region of our solar system. It made its closest approach to the Sun on September 27. As it gets closer to the Sun, the heat causes its ice to turn into gas, creating a long tail of dust. A solar wind also creates another tail by stripping ions off the comet's surface. The comet has been visible in the Southern Hemisphere since September and is now visible in the Northern Hemisphere until early November. It was last seen from Earth during the time of the Neanderthals, making this a unique opportunity.