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

Astronomers and skywatchers captured spectacular images of the naked-eye comet making its first appearance in 80,000 years.
Image: A photo of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS over Mormon Lake in northern 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.

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