Eyes on the Skies October 1st

COMET SWAN: There's a new comet in the night sky, Comet Swan. At present, it is too dim for the naked eye, but "the comet is a spectacular sight through binoculars or a small telescope," reports Chris Schur of Payson, Arizona. In Leeds, UK, Tony Cook took this picture of Swan's sinuous tail:
http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2006/01oct06/cook.jpg
Ready to see for yourself? Set your alarm before dawn; the comet rises just ahead of the morning sun. "Look behind the back leg of the Great Bear," advises Cook. "You should be able to make out a greenish fuzzball of 6th magnitude." Sky maps: Oct. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th.
Good news: The comet is swinging around the sun and by the second week of October it will be visible in the evening sky at a more civilized hour. Although it is not expected to become much brighter than it is now, Comet Swan should remain an easy target for backyard telescopes for weeks to come.