In Search of McNaught

I went out Comet McNaught spotting a few nights ago.

I ended up at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth and Elland where there is a clear view of the west and found that a few others had the same idea. As time went on the numbers grew with carloads arriving and drinks being produced by some. Judging by their well-oiled state these were veteran comet watchers who had the right supplements to sustain them into the night.

Time dragged on and Venus dipped lower and lower in the west with the moon in hot pursuit; but still no sign of a comet. Explanations were offered and disputed. Clouds seemed to get in the way - or was it smog as some ventured.

Eight o'clock began to approach and as daylight dimmed so did our hopes of seeing anything vaguely like a comet.

Suddenly the cry went up 'There it is!'……. and there it was indeed. A small smudge of light with a misty tail streaming behind - this driven by the solar wind and pointing away from the Sun .

A little girl in our now largish group with a self proclaimed age of nine exclaimed 'Never in my whole life have I seen something like this!'

Me neither.