A special treat for stargazers

THE brightest comet to be seen in the northern hemisphere for 30 years is now making an appearance in the southern hemisphere too.

In Namibia, Comet McNaught has been visible on the west-southwest horizon just after sunset since Sunday. Friedhelm Hund of the guest farm Hakos, a popular destination for amateur astronomers, says: “People should look to the left and south of the setting sun, just a finger’s width above the horizon.If there are no clouds, the comet can be seen with the naked eye.If there are clouds or dust, it can only be seen with binoculars”.He warns people against looking directly into the sun with binoculars, however, as this can cause retinal damage.”The comet is an extremely bright one, demonstrated by the fact that it can be seen with the naked eye and should become even more visible to us in Namibia as it travels further south,” Hund added.When asked whether he thought Comet McNaught was a special occurrence, he said: “If you are interested in such things it is.If not, then you might find it quite boring!” The comet is near the top of the list of the brightest comets to appear in the sky since 1935.Friedhelm Hund of the guest farm Hakos, a popular destination for amateur astronomers, says: “People should look to the left and south of the setting sun, just a finger’s width above the horizon.If there are no clouds, the comet can be seen with the naked eye.If there are clouds or dust, it can only be seen with binoculars”.He warns people against looking directly into the sun with binoculars, however, as this can cause retinal damage.”The comet is an extremely bright one, demonstrated by the fact that it can be seen with the naked eye and should become even more visible to us in Namibia as it travels further south,” Hund added.When asked whether he thought Comet McNaught was a special occurrence, he said: “If you are interested in such things it is.If not, then you might find it quite boring!” The comet is near the top of the list of the brightest comets to appear in the sky since 1935.