A rare celestial event is currently unfolding over the Southern Hemisphere, giving skywatchers in New Zealand a limited opportunity to witness a comet that appears only once in roughly 170,000 years.
According to a report by 1News, the comet, officially named C/2025 R3 PanSTARRS, has become visible in New Zealand’s night skies and is expected to remain observable for about a week before gradually fading from view. Astronomers describe it as a long-period comet originating from the distant Oort Cloud, making its appearance particularly significant.
Te Whatu Stardome astronomer Josh Aoraki explained the rarity of the event, saying, "We basically haven't seen anything like it before," 1News has quoted.
While the comet is not visible to the naked eye, Aoraki noted that it can still be observed using basic equipment. "It's a decently bright comet, so that makes it quite easy to capture with cameras," he said. Stargazers using telescopes, binoculars, or cameras may be able to spot its coma, the glowing cloud of gas around its centre, along with its tail formed by solar radiation.
Highlighting the scientific fascination behind the phenomenon, Aoraki added, "It’s quite cool to kind of see that interaction between an icy body and the Sun."
Across the country, astronomy enthusiasts and photographers have already begun documenting the comet. Amateur photographer Brian Diettrich captured images of it over Wellington skies and described the excitement surrounding the sighting. "Everyone's been out there trying to grab it. It's been pretty exciting," he said, as quoted by 1News.
However, capturing the comet requires precision and timing. Diettrich explained the process, noting, “You take a series of exposures, maybe 30 seconds or one minute, and stack them together… that brings out the comet. It is a little bit stressful."
Experts advise that the best chance to view the comet is shortly after sunset with a clear view of the western horizon. Aoraki recommended heading to open areas such as the west coast, where there are fewer obstructions. "If you head out to the west coast around an hour after sunset, that would be the best opportunity to capture it," he said, adding, "Anywhere that's going to block a view is going to be a disadvantage," 1News has quoted.
Even basic devices may be sufficient for capturing a glimpse. Diettrich noted, "A cell phone should be able to pick it up. It’ll be a bit of a smudge, and you might see a bit of a tail," as reported by 1News.
The comet is expected to dim as it moves farther from the Sun, limiting the viewing window. Aoraki estimated, "My best guess is you’ve probably got about a week, maybe 10-ish days to see it," adding, "There's probably a week until it kind of fades from view, so that would be the best chance to see it," 1News has quoted.
With only a short period left before it disappears, astronomers are encouraging enthusiasts to make the most of this rare cosmic spectacle.