An ancient, rare comet is passing by Earth, and some people in the Pittsburgh area have seen the once-in-a-lifetime comet streaking across the sky. On Tuesday, KDKA-TV's Jessica Guay and Ian Smith captured the comet,

Atlas comet is still in the neighborhood and will wow stargazers in the North Hemisphere after making an appearance in the Southern Hemisphere over the weekend.

Some stargazers Tuesday night were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of a rare comet. The comet, called A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), was discovered in 2023, and likely won't make another appearance in the night sky for another 80,000 years. Some were able to snap a picture of the comet in skies above southeast Indiana.

Comets that are visible to the naked eye are not common,” said Tim Brothers, the manager for the MIT Wallace Astrophysical Observatory.

The passing of comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas is close enough to Earth, an estimated 44 million miles away, to see with the naked eye. It should be visible through October.

"I hope everyone gets to see it and hopefully the weather is good. You can actually use your phone to take a picture of it. You just put it on night mode and your camera will catch the comet."

A comet discovered last year — known as C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is lighting up our skies. The snowy dirtball is nearly 2 miles in diameter and its tail of dust and gasses extends for tens of millions of miles.

It should be visible through the end of October, clear skies permitting. Send us your comet photos and videos via ReportIt! Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas should be bright enough to see with the naked eye, but binoculars and telescopes will give a better view.

Midstate residents had the unique opportunity to witness a second cosmic spectacle this month just days after the Aroura Borealis shined over Central Pennsylvania. This time, the astronomical phenomenon came in the form of a comet.