Comet C/2003 A3 was discovered in early January of 2003 by the Tsuchinshan ("Purple Mountain") observatory in China. Six weeks later, it was independently observed by the ATLAS (“Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System”) observatory in South Africa.

Its closest approach to the Earth was 44 million miles. It may return in 80,000 years.

Photographed from my driveway in southeastern Minnesota on 10/15/24 at approximately 8 PM CDT.