Canterbury photographer Hayden McCoy has captured an extraordinary image of Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), a rare celestial visitor last seen nearly 180,000 years ago.
McCoy told Chris Lynch Media he photographed the comet near Swannanoa, where the dark rural skies provided the perfect setting to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event.
New Zealanders are among the few lucky enough to have a clear view of the comet, as it is currently best observed from the Southern Hemisphere.
Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), discovered in April 2024, belongs to the Atlas family of comets and is known for its unpredictable behavior.
It reached its closest point to the Sun, or perihelion, earlier this month, creating the brilliant tail now visible in New Zealand’s night skies.
Hayden McCoy
The comet originated in the Oort Cloud, a distant region at the edge of the solar system filled with icy bodies.
As the Sun’s heat interacts with its surface, gas and dust are released, forming the glowing coma and striking tail that stargazers are now admiring.
Astronomers say the comet will remain visible for the next few nights, making this a rare opportunity for Kiwis to witness a piece of cosmic history.
To get the best view, head to a rural area away from city lights and look towards the western sky after sunset.
Viewing Advice for 22 January 2025:
•Time to Look: Just after sunset, as soon as the sky begins to darken. The comet will appear low in the western sky.
•Conditions: Find a rural or dark-sky location for the best visibility. Binoculars or a small telescope are highly recommended for spotting the comet’s faint glow and tail.
•Weather: Check for clear skies as any clouds or haze will make the comet difficult to see.:
The comet is still visible today, but it is fading.
With magnitude 4.9, it may be challenging to spot with the naked eye, so binoculars or a telescope will significantly improve your chances.
Head to a location with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the western horizon just after sunset for the best chance to observe this rare celestial visitor.
