Stunning Shots of 160,000-Year-Old Comet G3 ATLAS Captured by UK Photographer

In a remarkable celestial event, photographer Josh Durry recently immortalized the rare Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), which makes its spectacular journey around the Sun only once every 160,000 years. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was captured on January 15, shortly after the comet's closest approach to the Sun, known as perihelion, which occurred just two days prior on January 13, at a distance of 8.7 million miles (14 million kilometers).

The brilliance of Comet G3 reached an impressive magnitude of -4 to -6—about as bright as Venus—making it visible in the evening sky. This dazzling display caught the attention of many astronomy enthusiasts, and even NASA astronaut Don Pettit captured a breathtaking photo of the comet from the International Space Station, emphasizing just how incredible this celestial visitor truly is.

Durry's photographic journey to capture this elusive comet was anything but straightforward. He initially started in Somerset, where he faced heavy mist and fog conditions that obscured his view. He then traveled to Bristol, only to encounter more cloud coverage. Determined, he aimed towards Severn Beach, where he finally managed to find a clearing in the clouds just in time. In his Instagram post, he shared his exhilaration: “It was hit or miss, and time was of the essence. I had to shoot blind, but there it was on the back of the LCD monitor—the comet finally revealed itself!”

The race against the weather made Durry's achievement even sweeter. He noted that only five minutes after he captured the image, thick sea fog rolled in, completely obscuring the view once again. “Was this a stroke of luck or destiny? I can't help but feel incredibly fortunate to witness such a rare phenomenon,” he added.

The comet's presence garnered attention worldwide, sparking interest in astronomy and highlighting the thrilling unpredictability of capturing celestial phenomena. Events like this remind us of the vastness of our universe and our small place within it. As many space enthusiasts eagerly await the next opportunity to see Comet G3 ATLAS, its recent visibility serves as a testament to the wonders that can sometimes come from the skies.

So, grab your telescopes and cameras; who knows when the next comet will make its appearance? Don't miss out—mark your calendars and keep looking up!