Comet break-up puts on sky show (BBC) {73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3}

[eppur_se_muova]

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The ball of ice, rock and dust has broken up into more than 60 pieces; two of the larger fragments are visible through binoculars or small telescopes.

At its closest approach this weekend, the comet will be some 10 million km (six million miles) from the Earth.

Continued disintegration means this may be the last swing around the Sun for Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3.

Good chance

Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, said the optimum time to see the comet in the UK was between 0000 and 0100 BST, away from the lights of the city.

He said observers should look East with binoculars and use a sky chart to get the best chance of a sighting.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4754797.stm

[tocqueville]

1. going out tomorrow ! nt