See comet now, or wait 8,000 years

A COMET will be visible to the naked eye for the next few days before it disappears into the depths of space for another 8,000 years.

Comet C/2014 Q2, better known as Lovejoy, was discovered last year by Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy and has delighted astronomers and amateur stargazers for several weeks as it approached Earth.

It passed within 70million kilometres of the planet on Wednesday - but it will be at its brightest over the next few days as it heads towards the sun. Nasa calculations reveal it should be visible to the naked eye from places with lower light pollution, such as rural areas and outer suburbs.

It will appear as a grey “smudged” star. Through a telescope it will appear to be a vivid green with a clear tail.

To see it over the next few days, find the three-starred belt of the constellation Orion, which - experts say - points up westwards, roughly in the direction of the celestial ball of ice and dust. Saturday is probably the best night to see it, if the sky is clear, they add.

Casual skywatchers living in more populated areas where light pollution is greater may need a pair of binoculars to spot the comet.

Photo: Rex Boggs