The skies this spring have been full of the mystery of fast moving comets. Astronomers have a fairly easy time predicting a comet’s movement through the constellations but rarely can they predict brightness. So far the two that are being watched have not been viewable without an optical aid.

Comet Atlas drew plenty of attention early this year. After it was spotted, astronomers tried to predict its future brightness. Many estimates put the comet bright enough to match brilliant comets of the past. But speeding towards the sun early in April, the comet literally fell apart. The comet which is still expected to be closest to the Earth on May 23 and closest to the Sun at the end of this month has basically almost faded away.
Comet Sway, another comet now in our southern skies, has astronomers excited too. They’ve been watching it since March from the southern hemisphere.

It has now moved far enough north for us to see it. The comet is barely visible with binoculars two hours before sunrise. But you’ll need a star chart to find it tomorrow morning in the zodiacal constellation Aries. The comet moves through the constellation Triangulum this weekend.