For the first time in 160,000 years, a dazzling comet may be seen in the skies of the world in the days ahead.

Although it is "notoriously hard" to estimate a comet's future brightness, NASA stated that Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas) might continue to be bright enough to be seen with the unaided eye.

The comet was at perihelion on Monday, which affects how bright it appears because it is the closest to the Sun. It might be visible starting Monday night, according to experts.

While the exact locations for possible visibility are unknown, experts believe the comet, which could shine as bright as Venus, may be best observed from the southern hemisphere.

The comet was spotted last year by Nasa's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.

Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London, said "current orbital calculations indicate it will pass about 8.3 million miles from the Sun", which classifies it as a "sun-skirting" comet.

The university described the comet as a once-in-160,000-years event.

Dr Balaji said opportunities to spot the comet may occur "in the days around perihelion, depending on local conditions and the comet's behaviour".

"As with all comets, its visibility and brightness can be unpredictable," he added.

Mr Balaji said people who live in the southern hemisphere - where the comet is predicted to be best observed from - should "look toward the eastern horizon before sunrise, [and] after perihelion, try the western horizon after sunset."

But Mr Balaji added that while it is expected to be "quite bright", predictions on comet brightness are "notoriously uncertain", with many ending up fainter than initially predicted.

For the northern hemisphere - including the UK - viewing may be challenging do to the comet's relativity to the Sun.

You can check with BBC Weather online to see if the skies are clear enough for a possible sighting where you are.

Mr Balaji advised people wanting to spot the comet to find a location away from light pollution and use a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.

He warned observers to be cautious around sunrise and sunset, and said to track the comet's position to find where it may appear in the sky.

Meanwhile, astronomers have been following the comet's path.

On Saturday, Nasa astronaut Don Pettit, shared a photograph on social media of the comet taken from the International Space Station.

"It is totally amazing to see a comet from orbit. Atlas C2024-G3 is paying us a visit," he wrote.