Comet blazes past aurora in Australia's night sky
Two breathtaking celestial sights converged over the Southern Hemisphere last weekend as the aurora danced around Comet C/2024 G3.
This dazzling time-lapse video captures Comet C/2024 G3 streaking across the sky before setting below the horizon in Tasmania, Australia, on Feb. 1. It was shortly followed by the southern lights.
Stargazers across the Southern Hemisphere have been treated to views of a comet throughout the opening weeks of 2025. This past weekend, the cosmic spectacle became even more stunning as it illuminated the sky alongside the southern lights.
Comet C/2024 G3 has been one of the brightest comets in decades, according to EarthSky, but due to its orbit around the sun, it has been best seen by stargazers south of the equator.
On Feb. 1, the comet appeared shortly after nightfall, and as the sunlight waned, the aurora began to glow. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is known as the southern lights, or the aurora australis. A time-lapse of the cosmic pairing also revealed dozens of satellites flickering in the night sky.
A timelapse of Comet C/2024 G3 and the Southern Lights seen from Tasmania, Australia, on Feb. 1, 2025. The flickering lights are satellites gliding across the night sky. (Ben Swanson via Storyful)
Time is running out for folks across the Southern Hemisphere to spot Comet C/2024 G3. It has been slowly disintegrating following a close encounter with the sun, and its remnants are retreating to far depths of our solar system. As a result, it is starting to dim and will become more challenging to spot, even with the help of a telescope.
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