Mark your calendars, stargazers of Seattle! This Saturday, you will have an extraordinary opportunity to witness Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, a celestial wonder that appears only once every 800 centuries. But hurry—clouds could ruin the fun if they don’t cooperate!

Known by its formal designation Comet C/2023 A3, this spectacular "snowy dirtball," as described by Bill Cooke from NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, will be visible to the naked eye starting about 45 minutes after sunset. The comet will grace the skies nearly every night until Halloween, providing a fantastic light show as it travels roughly 44 million miles away from Earth on its path around the sun.

Fortunately, weather reports indicate clear skies for most of Western Washington this weekend. Kayla Mazurkiewicz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirms that the gloomy clouds of Tuesday will make way for clearer conditions. "We’ll generally have clear skies and a few high clouds, but nothing to hinder the comet's visibility," she stated.

This is a unique event for spectators, as it will likely be the last opportunity to catch a glimpse of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS for another 80,000 years! Cooke attests, "Bright comets are always a sight to behold, and this one will be the brightest since 2006. It's definitely worth a look."

How to Catch the Comet

To see this amazing comet, simply head outside about 45 minutes post-sunset and look towards the western horizon. Initially, it should be visible without any special equipment, but for the best experience, Cooke recommends using binoculars or a telescope.

Alan Spurgeon, president of the Seattle Astronomical Society, advises spectators to find locations with an unobstructed view of the horizon. Great spots could include open fields or hilltops. For those adventurous at heart, a dark and cloudless hiking trail at higher elevations in rural Eastern Washington could enhance your stargazing experience. "If you can see the Olympics, then you likely have a solid view of the horizon," he added.

What is Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS?

But what exactly is breaking over the Seattle skyline? Comets like Tsuchinshan-ATLAS are colossal masses of dirt mixed with ice and snow, soaring through space. They orbit in what scientists refer to as the Oort Cloud, a vast reservoir of billions of comets surrounding our solar system.

Approximately every few years, the gravitational pull from passing stars nudges a comet into the solar system’s vicinity, making it close enough for us Earthlings to appreciate its ethereal beauty.

So get ready, Seattle! The countdown has begun. Grab your binoculars, gather your friends and family, and prepare to be mesmerized by this once-in-a-lifetime event! 🌌✨