WATCH: Rare illusion gives ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ comet a seemingly impossible 2nd tail after closest approach to Earth for 80,000 years

(LIVE SCIENCE) — The “once-in-a-lifetime” comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS looks like it has grown a physics-defying second tail after reaching its closest point to Earth for more than 80,000 years, new photos reveal. However, in reality, the extra limb is a visual illusion that occurs thanks to the position of our planet relative to the naked-eye object.

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) above the troposphere, half an hour time-lapse.
Beside the magnificent dust tail, ‘Anti-tail’ is also clearly perceived even by naked eye.

Welcome to the October comet season! pic.twitter.com/TNN10cCCEH

— Mickey (@mickeywzx) October 13, 2024

C/2023 A3, more commonly known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is an unusually bright comet that likely originates from the Oort Cloud — a reservoir of icy objects in the outer reaches of the solar system. It was first discovered in early 2023 barreling between Saturn and Jupiter as it headed toward the inner planets.

A journalist recently captured Comet Atlas, aka the “Purple Mountain comet” over Kazakhstan. This comet was just recently discovered last year and can potentially be visible in the sky through the end of this month!

God’s creation is amazing!#CometATLAS pic.twitter.com/Klppawzq9L

— Conspiracy Gardener Homestead (@DaysofNoahGen6) October 14, 2024

Follow-up observations revealed that the comet likely orbits the sun once every 80,660 years — and suggested that it may have been disintegrating, which later turned out to be inaccurate.

Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas seen over Mt. Adams a few hours ago! pic.twitter.com/rEWua6NKa9

— KRL (@KennethLerose) October 14, 2024