The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) is inviting the public to observe the comet Lovejoy with its glowing green tail on January 30 before it leaves on its 8,000 year journey
NARIT Deputy Director Dr Saran Poshyachinda revealed that the public would be able to witness the astronomical phenomenon, as the comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2, would make its closest approach to the Sun on January 30 for the last leg of its journey near the earth.
He said the comet had already sailed past its closest to the earth, at around 70 million kilometers away, on January 7.
Dr Saran said the comet with its magnificent green tail would appear on the right of the Taurus constellation near the Pleiades star cluster in the evening.
He said the public would be able to see the comet passing through the sky with naked eyes in a dark location with clear sky.
A telescope would help to provide better vision and the interested public should start to look for the comet in the sky towards the East, starting at 7 p.m., Thailand time.
The comet Lovejoy was discovered by an Australian amateur astronomer, Terry Lovejoy, in August of 2014 and was the fifth comet that he has detected since 2011.
