North Carolina Sky Show: A Massive Comet Makes a Rare Appearance

Have you been enjoying the clear skies lately? Well, there's another fantastic celestial event waiting for you! A huge comet is making a rare appearance in the Triad sky. This comet, known as C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas, has a massive head, about two miles wide, and a tail that could stretch over 18 million miles! Impressive, right? This cosmic visitor made its closest pass to Earth on Saturday, but don't worry, you still have time to catch a glimpse. Over the next couple of weeks, especially after sunset, you can see it rising higher on the horizon each night.Dwayne Young, the weather spotter for WFMY News 2, got some amazing shots of the comet from Lawsonville in Stokes County. To get the best view, step outside right after sunset and find a spot away from city lights. Look towards the western horizon and be patient. With clear skies and good weather, spotting the comet should be a breeze for the next week or so. Later in the month, it will move higher in the sky, so it might not be as visible. You don’t need any fancy telescopes; this comet is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. The best time to look is around 7:30 to 8:00 PM. So, grab your friends, head to an open space, and enjoy this rare sky show!