Comet Seen Streaking Across Tasmania's Sky Before The Aurora Dances

Comet And Aurora Light Up Tasmanian Night Sky

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Tasmania’s night sky really put on a show on Saturday, Feb. 1, and photographer Ben Swanson was there to capture the display. Swanson spliced together about 7,000 photos shot throughout the night to create the video seen above.

(​MORE: Don’t Miss February’s Sweet Night Sky Treats)

The video first shows the sunset and a crescent moon rising. Then, Comet C/2024 G3 Atlas streaks across the sky. According to Space.com, the comet was visible in the Northern Hemisphere for a few days around mid-January but remained visible through early February in the Southern Hemisphere.

Comet C/2024 G3 Atlas became one of the few comets on record to be visible to the naked eye during daytime hours, Space.com also said.

Humans won’t set eyes on the comet again for thousands of years, if ever again. The comet could return again in 160,000 years, if it’s not already destroyed by then, according to Discover Magazine.

Swanson also caught a brilliant aurora dancing across the sky that same night. The aurora australis, or the southern lights, can be seen lighting up the sky in greens and purples later in the video.

The aurora australis can be seen in Tasmania year-round, DiscoverTasmania.com reports.

(​MORE: Watch Northern Lights Shimmer Over Alaska)