How to spot rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS from your backyard
Technology
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, first spotted in July, is making a brief appearance for skywatchers after swinging past the sun last week.
Recently photographed by Qicheng Zhang, this rare visitor from beyond our solar system is now visible again and has scientists excited to study what it's made of—and where it came from.
Where and when to see the comet
You can spot 3I/ATLAS in the constellation Virgo just before dawn, low on the eastern horizon with Venus shining below.
Zhang notes it looks "just a blob that's slightly fuzzier than the stars around it," so you'll want a telescope or a good camera for the best view.
Since it's already speeding away from our solar system, its appearances are unpredictable—catch it while you can!