Few and far between: Rare comet streams across Southern California sky

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A rare comet was visible in the night sky Saturday across San Diego County, an infrequent celestial show that was captured on camera by those aiming their lenses up.

According to NASA , Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS — pronounced Choo-cheen-shahn — may be visible to the naked eye across the Northern Hemisphere for several weeks in October. The best opportunity to spot the comet will be from now until Oct. 26.

According to astronomers, the comet’s orbit around the sun could be once every 80,000 years, making its appearance near Earth a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Sky watchers headed east Saturday evening, in hopes of finding clear skies.

Local photographer Vishwas Lokesh posted up in Poway, where he took camera shots from the vicinity of Iron Mountain Trailhead. He captured the rare comet between 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. with traces of the marine layer seen in the distance, as seen in the video below:

“I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed a comet that only passes by Earth once every 80,000 years,” Lokesh told FOX 5/KUSI. “It’s fascinating to think that the last time it appeared, Neanderthals were still alive!”

He also captured the photos seen below from the same positioning.

“It’s always special to witness something so rare, right from home in San Diego,” Lokesh continued. “I hope we can keep Earth habitable long enough for future generations — or perhaps even another species — to witness its next visit.”

Meanwhile, another local photographer, Vladimir Medvinsky, headed up Palomar Mountain to take his shot at capturing the comet on camera. His mission was a success, snapping the photos below around the same timeframe in which Lokesh mentioned.

It’s been a busy week for Medvinsky. On Thursday, he captured a time-lapse video showing the northern lights in the same area where the comet was seen.

For those who have yet to witness for themselves Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, ample viewing opportunities for Sunday are expected to be about 45 minutes after sunset.

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