This past week, a rather mundane comet made big headlines when it survived a whisker's (in cosmic terms) distance pass by the Sun, core completely intact. In the days leading up to the predicted close shave, most experts expected Comet Lovejoy to be vaporized into nothing. This weekend, many of these same people were eating their words, going to show that, in science, there is no such thing as certainty.
So, now that it has gripped the astronomical public's imagination, many skywatchers are now asking 'how can I see the comet?' Well, it is, in theory, quite easy.
Right now, Comet Lovejoy, while not all that far from the Sun, is positioned so that it can be seen and/or photographed from the Southern Hemisphere, where is which it will remain for about a month or so. However, come mid January, the comet will make an appearance in the Northern Hemisphere.
Come a month's time, look for unmistakable Orion, the king of winter. Orion found, look down, almost to the horizon, where the comet will appear, the only question being one of 'how bright will it be?' Going on current estimates from the Southern Hemisphere, the comet has brightened significantly since its close encounter with the Sun, with many estimates placing it as bright as Jupiter, which is bright enough to be seen in twilight. The last time such a thing occurred: almost exactly 5 years ago with Comet McNaught, which presented a similar sight to us Northern observers. By the time the comet disappeared behind the Sun and reappeared in the South, it sported a truly wondrous, sky-spanning tail that made it, just maybe, the most spectacular comet in over a century. The last time us in the Northern Hemisphere has a 'great comet' was in 1997 with Hale-Bopp.
Will comet Lovejoy be a McNaught for us Cleveland (and rest of us Northern) astronomers? Who knows, only time will tell. Until then, keep an eye on the Cleveland area weather forecast, which is always looking very iffy for this time of year. So, for an even more up-to date, hour-by-hour forecast (that just may show some breaks), check out the Cleveland Clear Sky Clock to see what the night will bring. Live somewhere else? Find a clock near you.
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