1. Comet NEAT is an amazing sight in the west in evening twilight. I estimated it to be magnitude 3.5 last night (Tuesday). In our 50mm binoculars it looked like an exclamation mark standing vertically above the sunset point. View at around 6:30am (east cost - a bit later the further west you are). There is a finder chart on page 40 of the February issue of our magazine but if you just sweep above the sunset point very close to the horizon you should pick it up, it's that bright. Over the next couple of days it dives into the Sun's glare, but brightening all the time. Could it reach 1st magnitude? I doubt anyone will see it after Friday, it's just too low. Ireland/UK are at the best latitude in the world to see it last. Let's hope the weather co-operates. After that you should be able to see the comet with the SOHO spacecraft! Click on http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html and check the LASCO C2 and C3 images. Don't forget to send your observations to observe@astronomy.ie for our NEW Observers Log column by Anthony Murphy starting in the March issue, due out at the end of this week. 2. GIANT FIREBALL 7:15am Wednesday Feb. 12 RTE woke me to ask about a very bright fireball seen over Ireland this morning. If you saw, or know anyone who did, get in touch: email/phone/fax/write to the contact points below. 3. I.S.S. I saw I.S.S. and the comet in the same binocular field of view last night! I.S.S was very red (probably those gold solar panels) You can still see it tonight and tomorrow and then that will probably be the LAST time you ever see I.S.S. manned! There was an orbit boost yesterday so throw anyway any website printouts you made! You'll always get the most uptodate predictions (based on a network of 'real' observers and news from NASA about re-boosts, and news of space-chases e.g. earlier this week - DID YOU SEE IT!?) from our premium rate Newslines: Republic of Ireland: 1550-111-442 (calls cost 74c/min) U.K.: 09001-88-1950 (calls cost 60p/min) 4. NEW YEAR SALE. Don't forget you only have until Feb 28 to get 750euro of eyepieces and filters for just 199euro!!! Lots more bargains too e.g. most beginner to medium telescopes reduced, some drastically, so get ready for Mars coming closer than ever in the history of civilisation in August! Call the number below and our Shop staff will post details or take your order. ===== David Moore BSc FRAS, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Editor, "Astronomy & Space" magazine. ASTRONOMY SHOP: open Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-5:30pm and Sat. noon-6pm. Tel (01) 847 0777. Fax (01) 847 0771. http://www.astronomy.ie (Subscribe FREE to AI's Events emailing list) info@astronomy.ie __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com