ISLANDERS have only a couple of nights left to spot a comet passing ‘close’ to Earth – before it disappears for another 50,000 years.
The comet, known as c/2022e3(ztf), or just ‘green comet’, is currently about 30 million miles away, which is regarded as pretty near to our planet.
Cloudy skies meant Islanders had few chances to spot it when it was at its peak last week.
But clear skies between now and Friday should give stargazers a good opportunity to see the comet before it disappears from view.
Neil Mahrer, from the Jersey Astronomy Club, said: ‘The easiest way to spot it is by looking straight up in the evening sky and finding the brightest star, which is pinky orange. This is actually Mars.
‘You then need to look for the next-brightest star near it, which is called Capella.
‘The comet is about two thirds of the way from Mars to Capella.
‘It is fading and so you will need to use binoculars to see it.’
