Comet A3 From Danville: Photo Of The Day

DANVILLE, CA — It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a once in 80,000-years comet. Danville resident Alfred Tan captured a few clear images of Comet A3, also known as Tsuchishan-Atlas. Though the comet is just two miles in diameter and 44 million miles away, its tail extends millions of miles, and it is being spotted all over the world, including in Tan's Danville backyard Sunday and Monday evening.

It's been visible since last week, and peak viewing is expected to take place each night after sunset until Sunday. After that, the comet won't grace our skies for another 80,000 years. For a chance at catching a glimpse, look west about 45 minutes after sunset, and look for a glowing ball moving slowly across the horizon. On Thursday night, you might see the comet next to the Hunter's Moon, the biggest and brightest moon of the entire year.

With the comet, the supermoon , and the Northern Lights , it's been a heavenly month for anyone looking toward the heavens. Feel free to email any of your celestial photos to