Comet Jacques’ appearance in skies to be ‘best in long time’

Astronomers in Ireland are excited by the arrival of a comet to our night sky over the next few days, describing it as the best one we have had in a long time.

Comet Jacques was discovered in March and should be visible from Ireland for the next four or five nights as it makes it leisurely 20,000 year orbit of the sun.

At 50 million miles (80m km), it is relatively close to Earth, about half the distance away as the sun. It will be closest to us over the next few nights and should be bright enough to observe from urban areas, where light pollution usually hinders such activity.

“If you can see it from Dublin, you can see it anywhere,” said David Moore from Astronomy Ireland.

Stargazers in urban areas can see the comet by pointing their binoculars to the northeast of the Cassiopeia constellation but “if you are in a rural location and you have the eyesight you will just faintly see it with the naked eye,” said Mr Moore. “It’s the best comet we’ve had in a long time,” he added.

Happily for Astronomy Ireland, Jacques’s appearance coincides with “Ireland’s biggest star party”, the Star-B-Q, a night time barbeque which Mr Moore describes as “the Electric Picnic for astronomers”.

That will be taking place tomorrow night in Roundwood, Co Wicklow which, at 238 metres above sea level, is purported to be Ireland’s highest village.

The event will give members of the public the opportunity to look at the night sky through powerful telescopes.

According to Met Éireann, the sky will be relatively clear tonight and tomorrow night, staying largely dry in near calm conditions, which should be favourable for comet watching.

For more information go to astronomy.ie