Florida can see once-in-a-lifetime comet through next week. Here's how

October is shaping up to be a very celestial month . Last week, much of the United States got a rare glimpse of the northern lights in areas they don’t typically appear. Now, stargazers will be able to check out a comet that hasn’t been seen for 80,000 years .

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will be visible in Florida low in the west following the sunset through the remainder of October. There will be a couple of ways to spot the comet and the best time to see it will be between Oct. 14-24.

October’s Hunter’s Moon will also be notable, as it will be a supermoon, which occurs when the moon is at its closest approach, or perigee, to the Earth in its 27-day orbit.

Here’s what to know about Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS).

Can Florida see comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS tonight?

Yep! Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will be visible in Florida, and if you catch it at the right time, you should be able to see it without the need for a telescope or binoculars, though they’ll help you get the best look.

The Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet was previously visible in the southern hemisphere, and now it’ll be visible in the northern hemisphere until Oct. 31. The best times to see it will be tonight through Oct. 24.

When will the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet be visible tonight in Florida?

The best time to see the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet will be just after sunset. NASA says that the comet’s tail will be well-illuminated by the remaining sunlight, so you won’t need any special equipment to spot it as it soars past Earth.

According to Astronomy Magazine, the comet will become visible 15 minutes past sunset on Wednesday, followed by 30 minutes past sunset the following four days before fading from our view.

The sun will set tonight in Florida roughly around 6:45 p.m. CDT, so you’ll want to be on the lookout for the comet around 7 p.m. CDT. For the best estimate, take a look at where the sun will set in your locale and tack on an extra 15 minutes.

How to see the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet in Florida

If you get the timing right, all you’ll need to do is look for the comet’s tail. It’s best to try and spot it right after sunset so its tail is brighter. You’ll also want to look westward.

If you have the equipment, you can grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope to get a better glimpse of the comet. Again, you’ll want to look in the area just above where the sun sets.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble spotting it, or want to be sure you have something to remember from the event, grab your phone and set up a tripod (or a makeshift one). Just like shooting the northern lights, you’ll want to use your phone’s night shot setting or manually set the shutter speed low — the longer, the better.

Lowering your phone’s shutter speed opens its aperture for an extended period of time, allowing it to capture more light and ensuring that you’ll get a shot of the comet as it passes by.

The slightest movement could ruin the photo, however, so it’s definitely recommended to grab that tripod or set your phone up in a way to get a picture of the western sky rather than attempting to hold it yourself.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida can see once-in-a-lifetime comet through next week. Here's how