Comet Hartley 2 on the Horizon
Posted on 05. Oct, 2010 by Einsel Davenport in Headlines
October 16 is the Astronomy Day Part 2. Two days this year have been designated as Astronomy Day. Astronomy and stargazing clubs around the world will organize special events.
Comet Hartley 2 will make its closest approach to our planet, coming within 11.2 million miles. For a few days around October 20, due to its brightness we should be able to see the comet with our own eyes in the early morning sky. Those who are longing for the amazing show of the sky should stay away from the city lights and look to the east before sunrise. Hartley will be visible in the constellation Auriga, near its open clusters; looking for it from a dark sky location with binoculars should make your viewing more interesting.
In November the comet will be observed by NASA’s Deep Impact spacecraft from a distance of about 600 miles.
Officially designated 103P/Hartley, it is a small comet discovered by Malcolm Hartley in 1986.
Also around October 20 there will be a meteor shower, the Orionids Meteor Shower; the best moment to watch the “fireworks” show will be after midnight, eastwards.
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