A celestial event 160,000 years in the making will grace the night sky this week, as Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) makes its rare appearance. Expected to be the brightest comet in nearly 20 years, it could shine as brightly as the planet

Comet G3 ATLAS (C/2024) is about to reach its closest point to the Sun in mid-January, making it the brightest comet of the year that won't be visible again for another 160,000 years. Here's when and how to spot it from Earth.

G3 (ATLAS) should be visible from the southern hemisphere, and possibly also the northern hemisphere, over the next few days

While both the Northern and Southern hemisphere will have a chance of viewing, the Southern will have an easier time spotting it. According to the Sky and Telescope Organization, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere might have the ability to spot the comet 'extremely low in the southwestern sky' from about January 15 to 18.