Missed the northern lights display? A comet has arrived to save your night

Shirley Blyth always wanted to see a comet, and Sunday evening her dream came true.

After a sparkling display of northern lights this past week, a comet is currently streaking across Saskatchewan's night sky.

"All my life, I had been hoping to see it and I've never had an opportunity to see a comet like that. I was just thrilled," Blyth said.

Discovered in 2023 by observatories in South Africa and China, a comet known as Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) has been making its way closer to Earth. Social media has been flooded with many sightings.

Cloudy skies made it impossible to see the comet on Saturday night.

But at about 7:20 p.m. CST Sunday, Blyth witnessed the comet in Whitewood, a town 175 kilometres east of Regina.

"It finally appeared just above the horizon in the west. I was amazed, it was so much bigger than I expected and had such a long tail and was so bright," she said. 

"I was just star-struck by it and it was so neat after all these years to finally, finally see it."

Scientists say if you miss it this time, you'll have to wait 80,000 years for another opportunity.

"Just be patient if you're out there a little early," Blyth advised, adding when she heads out on Monday night she will  bring a telescope along.