Montana Captures a Comet: A Backyard Adventure

In Montana, a rare celestial event caught the attention of locals this weekend. Comet C/2023 A3, which only visits every 80,000 years, was visible to the naked eye. Worden resident and photographer Jennifer Bagley grabbed her camera and headed to her backyard to capture the spectacular sight. "You're in awe," she said. Bagley wasn't the only one excited about the comet. Rick Dees, a science teacher from Huntley Project, also spent time searching the sky near Roundup to capture the moment. Comet C/2023 A3 originates from the Oort cloud, making it a long-period comet. These comets don't make frequent appearances like Halley's Comet. Steven Wiles, a senior lecturer at MSU Billings, shared that the last time someone saw this comet was probably during the time of the Neanderthals. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick also shared footage of the comet as it approached its closest point to the sun. Wiles advised viewers to use binoculars for a better view and to look west, above where the sun sets. Bagley encouraged everyone to take a moment and look up at the sky. "If you have five seconds, take a picture," she said. This rare sight will be visible for the rest of the week, offering a unique opportunity for stargazers.