Public urged to look to the horizon for chance to view comet last seen 80,000 years ago [Video]

THE IRISH PUBLIC has been urged to look to the horizon this evening for a chance to sight a comet that was last visible when Neanderthals were walking the planet 80,000 years ago.

Comet A3, formally known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, has been billed by some as “comet of the century”.

Tsuchinshan is a Chinese word that translates to Purple Mountain and is named after the Purple Mountain Observatory in China where it was discovered on 9 January 2023.

Speaking to The Journal, astronomer and editor of magazine Astronomy Ireland David Moore said that as long as we have a clear sky, the comet will be visible.

And while the forecast doesn’t appear to be on the side of stargazers, Moore said he is hopeful the weather will play its part.

“We’re very excited about this comet, and unfortunately it’s moving away from the Earth, so the Irish weather is really the only culprit,” said …