The comet is currently making its way around the sun, but will be gracing our evening skies for viewing after dark this weekend (from 19^th January 2007), when it will be at its maximum brightness. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere are perfectly placed for observing this comet into February during the evening when it will be at its magnificent best.  The comet is heading South in the skies, and therefore it will no longer be visible to most of the Northern Hemisphere. During March, as the comet moves further away from the sun, its brightness will fade. However, it will then be circumpolar (in the South Celestial pole region) and will be visible all night long. By April and May, it will still be hovering above us, but is expected to be extremely faint.

The word comet comes from the Greek "Kome" which means head of hair (to represent a comet’s dramatic tail) and developed into "Kometes" meaning long-haired (star). The Comet was discovered in August 2006 by an Australian astronomer, RH McNaught as part of a Sky Survey. Comets are made of dust, ice and gas. Chemically, they have been found to comprise ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, and water. Comets originate either in the Oort belt, located at the limit of our solar system or the Kuiper belt, inside or solar system. Their orbits bring them around the sun, where a tail forms in the solar wind out of ionized gas providing the best visibility.

And here's a photo of Deborah with Comet McNaught behind. This was taken from near Rotorua on the way back from Stardate. The exposure is 30 seconds, with added foreground lighting. Photo by Andy Dodson.