Adelaide skies have treated stargazers to a once-in-a-lifetime event, with perfect weather creating the ideal conditions to witness the rare G3 Atlas comet. This celestial visitor, visible only in the Southern Hemisphere, won’t pass by again for another 160,000 years.
If you haven’t caught a glimpse yet, there’s still time. The comet will remain visible until around January 23, before continuing its orbit deeper into the galaxy and disappearing from view.
Discovered in April 2024, G3 Atlas has captured the attention of international observatories, including NASA. South Australian landscape astrophotographer Will Godward managed to snap an incredible photo of the comet just before it began to fade from the naked eye.
“It was magical to witness and capture a naked-eye comet,” he told 7NEWS. “Looking toward Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills, knowing you’re seeing a comet with your own eyes is something that might only happen once in a lifetime.”
As one of the brightest comets to pass Earth in the last 20 years—and the third brightest ever recorded, according to the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)—G3 Atlas has left a lasting impression. However, its time with us has been cut short. Reports from Japan suggest the comet has started to break apart, though its tail is still putting on a stunning show.
“Sadly, G3 Atlas has disintegrated, but the tail remains visible and spectacular,” Godward said.
For those eager to catch a final glimpse, he offered some tips: “Find a clear southwestern horizon about 30 minutes after sunset. The comet will be low on the horizon, so don’t miss this chance.”
With the next sighting not expected for another 160,000 years, this is truly a rare and extraordinary event. So, grab your binoculars and head outside for one last look at this cosmic wonder!
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