Comet May Be on 341-Year Orbit

A comet that apparently was last seen in 1661 will be at its brightest during the next few weeks, astronomers say. Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, comet Ikeya-Zhang is visible low in the Western sky just after sunset. In early April, it will appear in the predawn sky as it begins to loop past Earth on its return trip to the outer reaches of the solar system.

The comet is named for the two amateur astronomers who independently spotted it Feb. 1. If it is, indeed, the 1661 comet, it is returning after a 341-year orbit.