The website earthsky.org reports that R3 will be at its closest to Earth on April 26, when it will be just 72.3 million km away (about half the distance to the sun).
However, it will be easier to spot at the end of the month, appearing low on the western horizon just after sunset.
In May, the comet gets higher into the sky after dusk, and, therefore, easier to spot.
Aoraki says that R3’s close encounter with the sun could also bring about its demise, as it heats up and melts, breaking into fragments.
“If it survives its encounter with the sun, there is a chance that it will be visible in the evening sky near the end of the month (and) into May,” Aoraki said.
“But it will likely not be visible to the naked eye and will require telescopes or binoculars to see.”
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