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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOne comet to swerve closer to Earth than any other comet in centuries
http://www.wtsp.com/news/one-comet-to-swerve-closer-to-earth-than-any-other-comet-in-centuries/89192108An emerald-green comet will brush the Earth Monday, followed one day later by a kissing cousin that will swerve closer to the planet than any other comet in nearly 250 years.
The first and bigger of the two comets will be visible Monday to the naked eye in the southern hemisphere, as long as city lights are far away. Stargazers in the United States will probably need only binoculars to see the bigger comet in late March. Scientists, however, are bringing out the big guns. The Hubble Space Telescope, the powerful ground-based Gemini telescopes and others will be trained on the celestial visitors, which will provide an extraordinary close-up of objects usually glimpsed only at a distance.
This is one for the record books, says Michael Kelley of the University of Maryland, whos never heard of two comets approaching close to Earth a day apart. Its a fantastic opportunity for professionals to learn more about comets, and if you have a chance to try to find them its a fantastic chance to see part of history as it happens.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)they wont realize these things happen until one of them hits them.
I would love to see this comet with the naked eye, I hope someone gets it on youtube.
WhiteTara
(29,704 posts)We have to be in the southern hemisphere though.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I could spot it through the windshield while driving the car at night if there were no streetlights.
Lovejoy was visible in binoculars a little over a year ago and I was fortunate enough to get a shot of that with my camera...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/103639073
WhiteTara
(29,704 posts)for such a long time. I woke up almost every night to see it through my dining room window.
2naSalit
(86,536 posts)and I saw it every night on my walk home from work or classes, it was visible from my front door step. It was also one of the more horrible years of my life, won't be completely forgetting that one.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)With apologies to Herman Melville, and John Brown.