Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A small comet dubbed "45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova" (shortly – 45P) approaches the Earth. On February 11, it will pass at close distance to Earth (11, 909, 145.6 km) and depending on climate can be seen through small telescopes and even binoculars.

Deputy Director of Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory named after N.Tusi, PhD in Physics-Math Elchin Babayev stated that, while solar radiation heats icy nucleus of the comet, glittering gas streams are erupted to the green atmosphere of comet. As evaporated core ("head") of the comet irradiates diatomic carbon (C2), its atmosphere seems to be green.

According to the Minor Planets Center, the first time since the 1950s, during the era of using modern technology in observations, it is the eighth approach of any largest comet to the Earth. And this is approximately 31 times farther distance of Earth from the Moon.

Despite the small size, close approach of comet makes it look brighter. It is believed that at the end of this week, before dawn, 45P comet can be seen with the naked eye (6th magnitude). It is the most convenient time to observe from February 9 to 12, hours before dawn.

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