See stunning photos of the once-in-a-lifetime comet over Arizona

A photo of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over Mormon Lake in northern Arizona. Jeremy Perez

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It's an astronomical spectacle 80,000 years in the making. Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, a 2-mile-wide interstellar chunk of rock and ice, is currently captivating skywatchers in Arizona and across the northern hemisphere.

The naked-eye comet, originating from the Oort Cloud surrounding the solar system, is making its closest approach to Earth in 80,000 years and will be visible nightly in the western skies through the end of October.

It’s been called the “comet of the century” and a dazzling sight that Arizona astronomers and photographers have captured and shared on social media since Oct. 12.

Where can you see the comet tonight? Look in low in the western or southwestern skies between 30 minutes to an hour after sunset for a glimpse. Or you can check out the following photos or videos of Comet C/2023 A3 over Arizona.

click to enlarge

Sunnyslope resident Oliver Lebot captured this photo of Comet C/2023 A3 along with his dog, Vinnie, on North Mountain.

Oliver Lebot

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) time lapse from 1847–1937 MST 13 October 2024. Was able to capture the anti tail (and too many headlights). 85mm lens cropped to 16:9 aspect ratio.

Ashurst Lake, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.#comet #astrophotography pic.twitter.com/ubUAkgGjCH

— David Blanchard (@dblanchard_AZ) October 14, 2024

Another photo of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over Picacho Peak, Arizona last night. #cometatlas #comet #sunset #photography #arizona pic.twitter.com/BRT2cR8KCc

— Sean Parker (@seanparkerphoto) October 15, 2024

#Comet C/2023 A3 Atlas
Taken by Eliot Herman on October 13, 2024 AZ, USA. pic.twitter.com/FcYLvNjymn

— Peter the Great Space Science☀️ (@Space_PHD) October 14, 2024

It's comet season!
Northern Arizona @spann @JimCantore @wxchanneldesk @FOXWeatherDesk #azwx #CometC2023A3 pic.twitter.com/66GhFNnXI3

— Kevin CAMPBELL (@KEVINFLYFISH) October 15, 2024

This comet is going to be fun. C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) tonight from N of Flagstaff. Really interesting structure trying to hide in the twilight. Subtle antitail pointing into the horizon, synchrones fanning to the right of the main dust tail, and a very thin central shadow. pic.twitter.com/HTJrnVFoqL

— Jeremy Perez (@jperez1690) October 13, 2024

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS making its appearance over Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Az. Oh what wondrous things you’ll see when you return in 80,000 years. #CometC2023A3 pic.twitter.com/ikBpZj4NZv

— Reid Woodward (@Lightningchazer) October 15, 2024

Just some comet gazing 💫

The Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet was a really cool sight to see here in AZ! pic.twitter.com/I1FtIa9FX3

— $Erika.Schwarz (@ErikaSchwarz13) October 15, 2024

I spent a good part of the afternoon searching for the right place to shoot the comet. I ended up here in Madera Canyon, east of Green Valley, Arizona.
The famous spire known as Elephant Head is on the left while sacred Baboquivari Peak near Sasabe stands tall on the right… pic.twitter.com/cowsgLIeTs

— LoriGrace (@lorigraceaz) October 14, 2024