Bengaluru residents were treated to an extraordinary celestial display when the sky lit up with vibrant hues of pink, green, and yellow. The sight, initially mistaken for an atmospheric phenomenon like iridescent clouds, prompted widespread curiosity and excitement across the city.

Many took to social media platforms to share photographs and videos of the glowing sky. One X user, Vihar Vaghasiya, posted a photo and wrote: “Bengaluru skies being just magical! What is this phenomenon even called?”

It was soon revealed that the breathtaking display was caused by Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS), a non-periodic comet that recently passed near Earth. Unlike periodic comets such as Halley’s Comet, non-periodic comets are rare and unpredictable in their appearances, adding to the excitement of the sighting.

Astrophysicists explained that such comets are “outsiders” to our solar system, making sightings of them a rare treat for sky-gazers. Bengaluru-based photographers and residents have captured the stunning glow and streaks of the comet over the past two days, with some observing colourful clouds and others spotting the comet streaking across the sky.

Comet C/2023 A3 was first discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory in China on January 9, 2023. It is currently located in the Sextans constellation, approximately 129.6 million kilometres away from Earth.

The celestial visitor, which is passing through the Solar System after more than 80,000 years, will continue to be visible to residents of nearby cities like Hyderabad until October 2.

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