the only man on Earth to see an exploding comet

[n2doc]

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:36 AM on 24th March 2010


An amateur stargazer has captured the moment a comet exploded in space - an event missed by the world's professional astronomers.

Musical instrument designer Nick Howes, 40, used the internet to access an online telescope as he sat at his desk in his office.

Mr Howes, of Cherhill near Calne, Wilts, logged on to a telescope in Hawaii and began staring into deep space. But he spotted a massive comet breaking up and was able to use the telescope to take photos.


Nick, who works for Yamaha, actually captured the moment the comet exploded, blowing a chunk the size of Mount Everest off one side.

He was the only person in the world to witness the dramatic event - with even American astronomers completely missing the opportunity.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1260049/Exploding-comet.html