SOUTHWICK, Mass. (WWLP) - A 22News viewer captured a rare comet on camera that won’t return for tens of thousands of years. Rare comet visible in the night sky won’t return for 80,000 years Comets are leftover debris from when the solar system formed and are composed mainly of dust, rock, and ice, according to NASA. As they approach the sun, they send out gases and dust, which create their iconic tail. Some comets completely break up from the heat of the sun, but those that survive could take many years, even centuries before they approach the Earth again. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, also known as C/2023 A3 to scientists is expected to be visible to the naked eye across the Northern Hemisphere for several weeks in October, with the best opportunity between Oct. 12 and 26, according to NASA. The comet was photographed at 7:15 p.m. on Monday overlooking Powder Mill School in Southwick, Massachusetts. Photo by Ed Faits According to Space.com, the comet will be most visible a few minutes before sunrise or a few minutes after sunset. Binoculars or a basic telescope will help give you a better view. Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, if it survives, won’t return to Earth for another 800 centuries. Local News Headlines Center in Tower Square named after Springfield leader Lawmakers call for safer correctional facilities in MA Westfield police seek public’s help identifying woman Loophole Brewing closes Springfield taproom, plans future WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.