What’s that bright light in Central Virginia’s skies?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Central Virginians are looking to the sky to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet. Have you caught a glimpse yet? The viewing period for comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which orbits the sun roughly every 80,000 years, began on Oct. 11 and will end on Oct. 21, according to StormTracker8 meteorologist Tyler Hall. It's over 45 million miles away from the Earth, but still visible to the naked eye -- if you look up at the right time. In the coming days, Hall said the best time to view this comet is going to be about 45 minutes after sunset. Turn to the western horizon and see if you can catch it! MORE VIEWER PICS: Northern Lights color the sky in Central Virginia 8News viewers sent in photos of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as they enjoyed this beautiful and rare sight. Did you capture it on camera, too? You can send in your own photos here for a chance to see them online or in our broadcasts. Chesterfield County Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Chesterfield County. (Photo: Chris Johnston) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Chesterfield County. (Photo: Julie Bisbee) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Chesterfield County. (Photo: Julie Bisbee) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Chesterfield County. (Photo: Julie Bisbee) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Chesterfield County. (Photo: Julie Bisbee) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Swift Creek Reservoir in Chesterfield County. (Photo: Roy Burroughs) Prince Edward County Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Prince Edward County. (Photo: Joe Garnett) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Prince Edward County. (Photo: Joe Garnett) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Prince Edward County. (Photo: Joe Garnett) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Prince Edward County. (Photo: Joe Garnett) Lancaster County Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Lancaster County, along the Rappahannock River. (Photo: Whitney Long) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Lancaster County, along the Rappahannock River. (Photo: Whitney Long) Emporia Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Emporia. (Photo: LaWanda J) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Emporia. (Photo: LaWanda J) Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Emporia. (Photo: LaWanda J) Nottoway County Oct. 14 view of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS from Nottoway County. (Photo from an anonymous viewer.)

Oct 15, 2024 - 04:00

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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Central Virginians are looking to the sky to see a once-in-a-lifetime comet. Have you caught a glimpse yet?

The viewing period for comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which orbits the sun roughly every 80,000 years, began on Oct. 11 and will end on Oct. 21, according to StormTracker8 meteorologist Tyler Hall.

It's over 45 million miles away from the Earth, but still visible to the naked eye -- if you look up at the right time. In the coming days, Hall said the best time to view this comet is going to be about 45 minutes after sunset. Turn to the western horizon and see if you can catch it!

MORE VIEWER PICS: Northern Lights color the sky in Central Virginia

8News viewers sent in photos of Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as they enjoyed this beautiful and rare sight. Did you capture it on camera, too? You can send in your own photos here for a chance to see them online or in our broadcasts.