"In 1995, Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 did something unexpected: it fell apart.
For no apparent reason, the comet's nucleus split into at least three "mini-comets"
flying single file through space. Astronomers watched with interest, but the view was
blurry even through large telescopes. "73P" was a hundred and fifty million miles
away.

We're about to get a much closer look. In May 2006 the fragments are going to fly
past Earth closer than any comet has come in almost eighty years."

Much more at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/24mar_73p.htm including details
of what we're looking for and where to look...
--
Nick in Northallerton
Also @ www.whelan.me.uk
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