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Comet NEAT (C/2002 V1) is plunging toward the Sun. At closest
approach on 18 February its distance from our star will be only 0.1 AU, which is much
closer to the Sun than the planet Mercury. The Sun's glare will hide the
encounter from earthbound observers, but not from the orbiting Solar and
Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).
Northern hemisphere observers can see the comet
themselves by looking low and to the west after sunset. Comet NEAT is glowing
like a fuzzy 5th magnitude star with a long delicate tail, making it a relatively easy target
for binoculars and small telescopes. This viewing window will soon close, as the comet is fast approaching the glaring Sun.
More info: Spaceweather.com
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