This month, Comet Hartley will be visible high in the sky just south of Cassiopeia. Sky and Telescope magazine has an excellent finder chart available on its website: http://media.skyandtelescope.com/images/CometHartley2-bw.jpg

Conditions will be excellent this week to view the comet because we are approaching new moon. If the skies clear (current weather forecasts are looking favourable for later this week), the comet should be visible in binoculars or small telescopes even from the city.

From Oct. 7 until about October 9 – a grand photo opportunity presents itself when the comet passes near the Perseus Double Cluster. You can get the jump on NASA – their EPOXI spacecraft will be imaging the comet from 1000 kms. away next month. So charge up your camera batteries!