How to Spot a Comet

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It's very close, maybe just above the naked eye visibility limit. The best thing that you can do is find the darkest site and take a pair of binoculars. You might be aware of the comet more in your peripheral vision than by directly looking at it. Essentially, what you're going to see is just a fuzzy blob.

This week star gazers will be hoping to catch sight of an exotic green comet that last passed by Earth 50,000 years ago. But, unlike the view our Neanderthal ancestors would have had, light pollution will make witnessing this celestial event an impossibility for many. Ian Sample speaks to astronomy journalist Dr Stuart Clark about how best to see the comet, and why it’s time to rethink our relationship with the night sky. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod