Archives - Astronomy: Page 14
Author: Thrty2Mars (Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:15 pm)
Title: Comet McNaught Dazzles Astronomers
Astronomers found 2007 to be off on a great start this week as the newly discovered Comet McNaught could be seen streaking across the night-time skies. Discovered by Australian astronomer R.H. McNaught in 2006, no one expected this comet to be any different than others. McNaught blazed so bright that it was visible to the naked eye to many gazers in parts of the northern hemisphere like Alaska. It won't be visible for a period of two weeks as it passes behind the Sun, and when it returns, will be visible only in the southern hemisphere. Some astronomers are postulating that it will be visible to the naked eye in the daytime. This is an extremely rare occurrence, happening only once or twice every few hundred years. This is definitely one comet to watch in the future, especially considering it is brighter than some of the more famous comets like Hailey's Comet.