The ancient comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS made a rare appearance over the Attic sky last night, around 10pm, and those lucky enough to look up as it passed were treated to a unique sight.

“C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS” was first discovered in 2023 and made its first appearance in our inner solar system – essentially appearing for the first time in human history.

It has been described in recent days as “the comet of the century” because of how bright it is and how easily it can be seen from Earth.

Two nights ago, the comet was spotted over Lesbos.

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It’s a long-period comet that returns to the inner solar system once every 80,000 years, so it will take a soooo long time to reappear…

According to Britain’s Royal Astronomical Society, “it was last visible from Earth when Neanderthals walked the planet.”

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On September 27, 2024, comet A3 reached its perihelion, i.e. the closest point to the Sun, at a distance of 58 million kilometers.

On October 12, it began its closest approach to Earth, at a distance of about 70 million kilometers.

In its first appearance outside of Attica, the ancient comet lit up the sky over Russia, China, North Macedonia, Spain and the US, and images of it flooded the internet.