Try sky watching this week.

Green light for a close encounter: 'Jupiter-sized' comet to streak past Earth tonight



We have known of its existence for only two years. But if you
raise your eyes heavenwards over the next few nights, you might just
catch a glimpse of the comet Lulin.
Glowing green, it will
come within 38million miles of Earth, the closest it has ever been, and
about the same distance away as Mars.
Lulin, photographed
here by an astronomer in Arizona, was discovered by a 19-year-old
student from a photo taken at Lulin Observatory-Taiwan, in 2007.






This stunning picture shows comet Lulin glowing green in the sky as it makes its closest approach to Earth






Comet Lulin is delighting amateur astronomers who are observing it using telescopes and binocularsThe spectacular comet will be visible to the naked eye over the next few nights.
Its colour comes from the gases that make up its Jupiter-sized atmosphere.
The
stellar traveller is very active, shedding nearly 800 gallons of water
each second on its journey around the Sun. That's enough liquid to fill
an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than 15 minutes. Jets
from the nucleus throw out cyanogen, a poisonous gas found in many
comets, and diatomic carbon, which glow green when lit by sunlight.
It could be visible any time after dark.
Nasa
said: 'Dark country skies will be required. But no one can say for
sure. This appears to be Lulin's first visit to the inner solar system
and its first exposure to intense sunlight. Surprises are possible.'
Andrew
Read, from Leicester University, said: 'The comet is releasing a great
amount of gas, which makes it an ideal target for X-ray observations.'




Astronomers using the Nasa Swift Satellite are
tracking a spectacular comet as it closes in on Earth and sheds gas and
dust from its vaporised ice. This combined view shows combined
ultraviolet and X-ray images of the object British astronomers
from Leicester University will study the comet using the NASA Swift
Satellite to find out more about its chemistry and gather clues about
the origin of comets and the solar system.


I believe it can be seen in an easterly direction from tonight.

Thanks for info - eyes peeled at the ready!!!

About 10.30 on wards Karma. :)

Fascinating!!

Educational too!

Quel blanc mon ami, another pina colorado eh...

Five mins and waiting.......au reservoir Dell Boy au reservoir......

You need X-ray glasses apparently

I face the East!!! haven't seen anything yet :-)

sadly it was too cloudy to see anything .

Maybe the 'second coming' will be more visible tonight :-)

i willm look again tonight.will get the binoculars out just in case.unfortunately my night telescope is up in the attic so wont be able to use it .

stood outside for half an hour last night.the sky looked beautiful .it was such a clear night.still haven't seen the elusive comet though.has anybody else.

Unfortunately no!!! it was beautifully clear last night - but after a few chilled whites I wasn't looking at the sky :-)))) perhaps tonight - but there are usually too many large street lights in St Sampsons which means things have to be really, really bright in the sky to be sighted :-(((

Just look and enjoy! I'TS FREE

it is free and is wonderful to look at bug1.