In the photo from the space station, the comet is captured just above Earth’s horizon, which is illuminated by a bright light — also known as airglow — that occurs in the planet’s upper atmosphere when atoms and molecules emit light after being excited by sunlight.

Photographer Josh Durry captured a rare image of Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), which orbits the sun every 160,000 years, on Jan. 15. The comet, which passed close to the sun on Jan. 13, reached peak brilliance this week.

In a race against time, clouds and the setting sun, photographer Josh Dury captured this dramatic photograph of Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) at dusk on Jan. 15.

Comet ATLAS G3 will be closest to the Sun on Jan. 13, 2025, but will mainly be visible only from the Southern Hemisphere.