A waxing, crescent moon and clear skies in the Pacific Northwest have given stargazers great views of the Comet Lovejoy.



NASA scientists say the comet, in all its greenish splendor, is easily visible with binoculars and telescopes or with naked eye in dark skies.

According to NASA, the comet sweeps across the constellation Taurus the Bull and should remain visible through the end of the month.

Sky & Telescope says the comet should remain bright all week, high in the evening sky.

But viewing opportunities over the next several days will be iffy in northwest Oregon, according to the National Weather Service in Portland. Clouds are expected to increase Wednesday into Thursday as a weak weather system moves in, with a much stronger, and wetter system on tap for Thursday and into the weekend.

That doesn't mean there won't be breaks in the cloud cover during the next two weeks, when viewing will remain good.



To that end, OMSI will host a comet-viewing party. It runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday at L.L. Stub Stewart Park in Washington County, near Vernonia.



OMSI spokesman Jim Todd said the event, which is also hosted by Rose City Astronomers and Oregon State Parks, will have telescopes set up for people to use. Dress warmly, and bring a red light flashlight to preserve your night vision.

"Comet Lovejoy was discovered in August 2014 by the Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy," Todd said. "If the name sounds familiar, Comet C/2014 Q2 is the fifth comet he has discovered since 2007. When Lovejoy first saw the comet, it appeared as a faint and diffuse green glow viewed only in a telescope in the Southern Hemisphere."

Todd said he gives informal talks about the comet and the winter night sky, with emphasis on the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. The event is free, but there is an Oregon State Parks parking fee of $5 for each vehicle.



If you plan to attend, check OMSI's star parties website for any possible weather-related cancellations or time adjustments.

A photo gallery of recent images of the comet captured by amateur astronomers has been posted on the Space Weather website.

Comet Lovejoy

Recent images of the Comet Lovejoy

-- Stuart Tomlinson

stomlinson@oregonian.com

503-221-8313

@ORweather