A comet which last visited the earth 80,000 years ago was clearly visible over the Netherlands in Monday night’s clear evening skies and is likely to be on view again in the coming few days.

C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas), which is just three kilometres in diameter, was spotted in the evening sky shortly after sunset by people in the north and central parts of the country.

☄️ Wat een fotosessie! Komeet ‘Tsuchinshan Atlas’ stond gisteravond rond 20.10 uur prachtig boven de Waalbrug van Nijmegen. Je kon hem zelfs visueel prima zien. Een zeldzaam soort fotografie in Nederland… #comet
@OmroepGLD @Weerplaza @C2023A3 pic.twitter.com/LlVd7Q1aLV

— Wouter van Bernebeek (@StormchaserNL) October 15, 2024

Nevel mist boven de Overijsselse Vecht, ampassant #Komeet #CometC2023A3 Dauw op de lens pic.twitter.com/udEX6LPmr1

— Gerard (@geraldotabe) October 14, 2024

Komeet Tsuchinshan ATLAS te zien vanuit Werkhoven: [WERKHOVEN] Maandagavond 14 oktober kon Bas van Beek bij de molen van Werkhoven komeet Tsuchinshan ATLAS fotograferen. De komeet is pas sinds een paar dagen te zien vanuit Nederland. ,,Samen met mijn… https://t.co/1BrPZnQq7D

— BunniksNieuws (@BunniksNieuws) October 15, 2024

The comet was closest to the earth last Saturday when it was some 70 million kilometres away. But experts say the best options to see it will likely be next weekend. To spot the comet look to the west, low on the horizon, after sundown and before 8 pm.

If you miss it, the comet will still be visible until the end of November.

Skywatchers will also be treated to a so-called super moon on Thursday. The moon will be closer to earth and this makes it appear 7% larger and 14% brighter than a normal moon. Weeronline says there will be some cloud around but it should not interfere with the spectacle.

Feel free to share your photos of the comet or the moon with editor@dutchnews.nl and we’ll place the best on our social media pages.