Watch Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas shine in the night sky

Science: Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is getting fainter as it moves away from Earth. It will remain visible until at least Saturday (Oct. 26), but the comet is moving away from Earth and is becoming increasingly difficult to see with the naked eye. Viewed from mid-latitudes in North America, the comet will be very high in the west at sunset, but faint enough that observing with binoculars or a small telescope may be your best option at this time.

If you want to get an even closer look at the comet without needing optics, astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project will be livestreaming telescopic observations of Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas starting at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday (Oct. 21). Watch it live here or on the project’s YouTube channel, courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project.
The comet is putting on quite a show for astrophotographers this year — even in space! The comet passed its closest point to Earth on October 12 and has been rising higher and higher in the sky over the next week, though it has faded, but has ceased to be visible to the naked eye.
If you want to get a close-up view of the entire comet or any other night sky object, our best telescopes for beginners guide can help you find what you need. And if you prefer something more portable, check out our best telescopes guide.