Monday, March 22, 2004

From Space.com (linked at right)

Pair of Comets Set for Spring Sky Show

By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 10:00 am ET
25 February 2004



A pair of comets that astronomers have been monitoring for several months could become plainly visible in the night sky this spring.

Each comet is currently visible in telescopes. Scientists can't say for sure how bright they will get, but there is some optimism that both might reflect enough sunlight to be visible to the unaided eye at the same time.
...

"I think if prospective skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere are looking for a good sky show they're going to have to pin their hopes on Comet NEAT," Rao says. "Comet LINEAR will unfortunately remain rather close to the Sun and very low down near the eastern horizon all through April and early May, making it rather difficult to see."

Comet NEAT, on the other hand, "should vault high into the western evening sky during May making it much easier to sight," Rao said. "Observers in the Southern Hemisphere will have an advantage in that both comets will be fairly high up and easy to spot."
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Harbingers. Omens. Signs and Wonders.

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