Did you miss the rare comet last night? Here's how to see it again in Oklahoma

Have you seen the comet of the century yet? If you haven't, don’t worry. The rare sighting can still be seen this week before disappearing for thousands of years.

The Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (pronounced Choo-cheen-shahn ) was discovered in 2023 in its orbit for the first time in documented human history by Chinese and South African observers, earning its joint name after both groups.

The comet, also called C/2023 A3 and Comet A3, was spotted in various U.S. states over the weekend, including Texas. This weekend was " one of the better times to spot it " as "it's coming out of the sun's glare," Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, told the Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Network.

How to spot the comet

Comet A3 can be viewed by looking at the western horizon after sunset. Smartphone cameras set to night mode can enhance the view, as can binoculars. It should have a tail as it moves through the night sky, making it noticeably different from stars or shooting stars.

In addition, even though the comet is much smaller than the celestial bodies that make the stars in our night sky, it will appear much larger because it is closer to the Earth.

When to look for the comet?

While Comet A3 may be visible through Oct. 26, this week will offer the best views of the rare phenomenon. Sky visibility mainly controls the viewing opportunity, whether clouds or light pollution.

NASA recommends heading to a dark vantage point just after nightfall and looking to the Southwest. Comet A3 should be positioned between the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpio.

Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

• SkyView Lite for iPhone | Google Play
• Star Walk 2 for iPhone | Google Play
• Star Chart for iPhone | Google Play
• NASA for iPhone | Google Play

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Did you miss the rare comet last night? Here's how to see it again in Oklahoma