In the days following its sweep around the sun, Ikeya-Seki was a spectacular sight in the late October and early November morning skies. An incredibly brilliant, twisted tail stretched up from the east-southeast horizon an hour or two before sunrise, appearing like a slender searchlight beam about as long as the Big Dipper.

To get the best view of the comet, go outside about an hour after sunset and look west. The comet should be visible from the northern and southern hemispheres. While you can see the comet with the naked eye, binoculars and telescopes will give you a better view of it.

ATLAS, also known as C/2023 A3, is expected to be visible to the naked eye for several weeks this October across the Northern Hemisphere, with the best opportunity between Oct. 12 and 26, according to NASA.