Stunning ‘Comet of the Century’ Dazzles Skies Above Maricopa

The Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Comet made a stunning appearance over the Maricopa water tower at 7:30 p.m. on October 16, 2024. Photographer Jamey Hopkins, who resides in Rancho Mirage, nearly abandoned his quest for capturing this remarkable celestial event.

“I’d been trying for two days to get it, so I waited longer,” Hopkins explained in an interview. “I finally got it. I was just patient.” After persistent efforts, he finally spotted the comet in the eastern skies, focusing intently on capturing its beauty.

In a serendipitous twist, his photo features the historical Maricopa water tower, hidden off White and Park Road at the Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. The tower, embellished with a colorful mural, serves as a picturesque backdrop for the cosmic spectacle. It symbolizes a tradition of stargazing, perfect for such a rare astronomical event.

Using only his iPhone 16 Pro Max and steady hands, Hopkins achieved a stunning shot without a tripod. The comet, often described as a cosmic snowball with two tails, has captivated stargazers across the globe and reached its closest approach to Earth in over 80,000 years last weekend.

This bright celestial visitor is noted as the most brilliant comet observed since Hale-Bopp passed by in 1997. Stargazers can expect to view it until Thursday, marking a rare opportunity for those keen to witness this galactic event.