Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS won't return for another 80,000 years, but astronomers say it could be visible to the naked eye this weekend

A comet that was last visible from Earth when Neanderthals were alive could be spotted with the naked eye this weekend, scientists have said.

Scientists have said Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which was last visible from Earth when Neanderthals were alive 80,000 years ago, could be spotted with the naked eye from our planet this weekend. First discovered in January 2023,

It has been dubbed "the comet of the century" because of how bright and visible it could be, according to the United Kingdom's Royal Astronomical Society. It was initially discovered in 2023 by the Purple Mountain Observatory in China and an ATLAS telescope in South Africa last year.

Sky-gazers won't want to miss the event since it may be the last time the comet will be seen in the night sky for another 80,000 years.