How to see incredibly rare comet that passes Earth once every 160,000 years this week

A comet visible only once every 160,000 years is set to fly by Earth. And there's a pretty decent chance you can see it.

Called C/2024 G3 Atlas, the sub-zero icy space rock is set to be visible from planet Earth in the next week.

First spotted back in April 2014 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile.

At the time of its first sighting, the comet had been a staggering 400 million miles away from humanity.

Then, it was 158,000 times dimmer than the feinted star visible from Earth. So, basically, absolutely no chance of spotting it without the best of the best scientific equipment.

G3 Atlas comet's journey through space

Now, G3 Atlas is set to reach something called its peak perihelion. This is the moment on its journey through space when it is closest to the Sun.

Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said: “As with all comets, its visibility and brightness can be unpredictable.

“Observers may have opportunities to spot it in the days around perihelion, depending on local conditions and the comet’s behaviour.

“The comet’s brightness will be influenced by its proximity to the Sun, which causes ice and frozen gases to sublimate, creating a coma and potentially a tail. While some predictions suggest it could become quite bright, comet brightness predictions are notoriously uncertain.”

The comet's peak perihelion will be today (13 January), meaning it could be visible once darkness falls.

Seeing the G3 Atlas comet

If timed correctly, the G3 Atlas comet could be the brightest comet we have been able to see in the United Kingdom in the last 20 years.

As always with the UK, visibility is the big factor.

With recent weather being grim, and fog settling in across many parts of the country after recent snow and ice showers, hope is lower than it might have otherwise been.

Dr Balaji said if you want to see the comet you should find a location away from bright city lights, with binoculars or a small telescope your best shout, The Telegraph reported.

🌠 Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) is putting on a show!

Check out this incredible ISS photo by astronaut Donald Petit (@astro_pettit) of Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) as it gets closer to the Sun. Watch as its tail begins to expand — a stunning sight as it prepares to make its closest pass… pic.twitter.com/nPL2MDOkca

— Star Walk (@StarWalk) January 12, 2025

It won't be a blink and you'll miss it event, thankfully, with the journey taking amount of time equivalent to days on Earth.

According to mobile stargazing app Star Walk, it'll be visible up until 18 January.

Those in the Southern Hemisphere will get the best view of the comet due to its position in relation to the Earth.