h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well a clear starting evening at last. As long as it stayed that way for a couple of hours we might be able to get a chance to see comet Lulin.

A few hours later when Leo had risen enough to clear the hills and treetops around our house I went out for a look. Some high light cloud but Leo was visible as were the Pleiades so there was a good chance. A quick scan of the area didn't revel anything so back inside to check the exact position with some software. When I knew where it was I went back out and looked where I needed to. A short while later and there was a small smudge in the view of the binoculars. Moving around a little using averted vision and there. It was certainly there in view. Not any stars in the same field of view either. Out to MC in the back garden (I'd been in the front till now) and see more thin high cloud in the sky. Check again and there it still is.

Now to make sure MC could find it. Tell her a couple of pointers and then hear the gasp of yes, there it is!

Sucess.

We'd finally both managed to see the elusive comet. It's mostly been elusive by being hidden by a think heavy blanket of cloud meaning nothing could be see in the night sky.

I saw it last night too



This earns you & MC a mention in my next BATS column

I hope you're both well

GB