From strong northern lights to a historic total solar eclipse, 2024 has been quite a year for sky watchers -- and it's not over. Starting Friday evening, a bright comet predicted to be visible to the naked eye will treat stargazers across the northern hemisphere. It was last seen 80,000 years ago, during the time of Neanderthals, and it likely won't swing by earth again for another 80,000 years.

More from the article...

... According to space scientists, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or Comet C/2023 A3, is the most impressive space sight of its kind to dazzle our skies since comet Neowise in 2020. That it also might be visible to the naked eye is "quite rare," says Matt Hjelle, spokesperson for the stargazing app Sky Safari. "On average, you get a comet of this brightness roughly once in a decade." ...

I remember, back in the mid-1990's, I was driving to visit a friend for a burger and a brew or two.

On the way to his house, I remember looking up into the sky and seeing the Hale-Bopp comet[1]. It was quite noticeable,

I stopped my car and stepped outside to look.

Wow.

Comets are cool.

@#4 ... Remember Heaven's Gate? ...

Yes, but I don't need to buy a t-shirt.