People have a final opportunity to witness one of the brightest comets in history, which will vanish for 800,000 years after this.

Comet G3 Atlas has returned to the skies over the Southern Hemisphere for a unique show that has been in the making for the last 160,000 years. A few lucky individuals in Australia have already captured stunning images of this breathtaking spectacle, while others have a limited "window" to catch a glimpse of one of the brightest comets in history, reports Daily Mail.

The comet was only discovered in April 2024, and those wishing to see it should seize the opportunity, as it will soon vanish and won't be visible for the next 800,000 years. Researchers also note that the chance to observe the comet will last until Thursday, January 23, after which it will disappear.

Comets are frozen remnants from the formation of the Solar System, composed of dust, rocks, and ice. Their diameters typically range from several hundred meters to tens of kilometers. As they approach the Sun, comets heat up, releasing gases and dust into a glowing head. This material forms a "tail" that stretches millions of kilometers, making comets a captivating sight in the night sky.

G3 Atlas is considered one of the brightest comets to pass by Earth in the last two decades and ranks as the third brightest ever recorded, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.

According to Dr. Rebecca Allen, co-director of the Institute of Space Technology and Industry at Swinburne University, stargazers can spot G3 Atlas right after sunset. This comet has been traveling towards us for over 100,000 years and will soon disappear for an incredibly long time, so those wanting to see it should hurry.

Scientists note that after Thursday, the comet will sadly become too faint to be observed. Experts also emphasize that a good view of the southwestern horizon and a clear sky are necessary for comet spotting. Researchers add that the elongated tail pointing towards the horizon should be looked for beneath the bright planet Venus.

Recently, NASA astronaut Don Pettit had the remarkable opportunity to observe the comet from space and capture an exciting image of it racing through our Solar System. It's worth noting that he is aboard the International Space Station, allowing him to witness G3 Atlas from Earth’s orbit.

According to NASA, on January 13, G3 Atlas came within 13.5 million kilometers of the Sun. Experts from the space agency also state that once the comet veers away from its trajectory towards Earth, it won't come this close to the Sun for the next 800,000 years. Currently, G3 Atlas is located in the constellation Capricornus, approximately 146 million kilometers from Earth.

Nick James from the British Astronomical Association states that it is currently quite challenging to predict how the comet will behave after its near-fatal encounter with the Sun. Consequently, scientists note that it could be significantly brighter or dimmer than their forecasts.