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Sunday 4 June 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Comet

This year
2023
# Look Up
Green comet to make its closest approach to Earth in 50,000 years tonight
The comet will be visible in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
# astronomers
Once in 50,000-year comet may be visible to the naked eye
It should be easy to spot with binoculars and likely even with the naked eye, provided the sky is not too illuminated by city lights or the Moon.
All time
# look to the skies
Quiz: How much do you know about comets?
Test your knowledge here.
# distant comet
After a seven month nap, the tiny Philae probe has woken up and made contact
Hello again, little lander.
# Philae Lander
People are emotional about the tiny comet lander finally waking up from its nap
The little craft that could.
# don't wanna miss a thing
Video: An asteroid the size of a cruise ship passed over Ireland last night
But it was never going to hit earth, thankfully.
# Lovejoy
Look up: You've two weeks to see a glowing green comet
Comet Lovejoy is paying a visit.
# bounce bounce bounce
Check out these new hi-res pics of Philae's hairy 'bounce' landing
In space, no one can hear you BOUNCE.
# goodnight tiny probe
The last tweets from the comet lander are pretty heartbreaking...
The Philae lander, perched on a distant comet hurtling towards the Sun, delivered everything scientists were expecting of it before losing power.
# Prime Numbers
House prices, Too Many Cooks, and Stephanie Roche: The week in numbers
Plus: How many people should have had their fingerprints taken by gardaí over the past two years but didn’t?
# sleep tight
Philae probe has fallen asleep after its batteries ran out
The robot probe managed to transfer all of the data it collected to its mother ship before it took its eternal nap.
# comet landing
Philae hopes to communicate drilling results soon, but could it be its final hours?
Due to the lander’s position scientists are concerned about the battery supply.
# Comet The Day
Philae seems to be stuck under a cliff with one leg dangling in space
That means it may not be able to fully charge its solar-powered batteries.
# news wrap
Today's top stories in 6 seconds
Don’t have time to mull over the news? Here’s everything you need to know.
# rosetta
TOUCHDOWN! European probe leaves its mothership and lands on comet for first time ever
There are huge celebrations today at the European Space Agency.
# happening now
Why we're trying to land a probe the size of fridge on a speeding comet
‘We’ as in ‘the human race’.
# dark side of the comet
Ever wanted to see a comet up close? You're in luck
The photos were shot from a distance of 30km or less.
# together at last
Rosetta spacecraft reaches comet it's been chasing for ten years
For today, Rosetta will travel alongside the comet but will later start its orbits.
# Hey Rosetta
'World Cup final' event as 6 billion km comet-chaser nears its target
“Rosetta, meet Churyumov-Gerasimenko”.
# space probe
Comet-chasing probe sends back pics of 'strange-looking potato' formation
The Rosetta probe is due to land on the comet in November – and its latest pictures suggest it is made of two distinct parts.
# Shooting Star
Ireland could* be the best place in the world to see a stunning meteor shower tonight
*Weather permitting of course, but it’s not looking too good right now…
# Astronomy
Comet ISON will brush past the Sun at half 6 this evening, but will it survive?
The comet could simply melt due to the heat — or it could survive and light up our skies next month.
Voices
Column: Eyes to the sky – Comet ISON might just be visible
Comet ISON is just days away from its close encounter with the sun, writes Conor Farrell, who tells us more about this ‘sungrazer’ comet.
# Eyes to the sky
Comet visible in Irish skies tonight
Comet PANSTARRS will be seen next to the Andromeda Galaxy in the northwest.
# Eyes to the sky
Meteor shower: Astronomy Ireland wants you to be their eyes
The perseid meteor shower is underway. Get out and have a look!
# Astronomy
Meteors to rain down on Earth over coming week
Eyes to the sky, Astronomy Ireland are expecting a celestial firework show this weekend.
# Fireball
Search on for comet fragments after fireball seen over Ireland
Did you see a fireball last night? If you did, you’re urged to get in touch with Astronomy Ireland, who are trying to determine if it landed on Irish soil.
# Earthquake
Seen from space: the Christchurch earthquake
A shocking new satellite image shows the power of the earthquake that rocked New Zealand last month.