Amateur Astronomer Discovers New Comet

A new comet has been discovered by a Swiss amateur astronomer, Michel Ory, working from the Vicques Observatory in the western Jura district.

Comets are a fragile mix of dust, ice and carbon-based molecules. These ingredients are thought to be primitive material left over from the formation of our star system.

To date there are some 200 comets documented, only five of which have been discovered from Switzerland since the 17th century. The latest discovery has a diameter of 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) and has been named Ory after the astronomer who made the discovery.

Ory spotted the comet twice, once overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday and again from Wednesday to Thursday,

According to a report the best sightings are expected in October and November.

In addition, Ory has already discovered some 50 asteroids.

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Image Caption: Comet Hyakutake (NASA)