Comet coming close to earth - you are here-by warned!

A mysterious comet that is orbiting the sun while dividing its core is to come close to the Earth during the Golden Week holiday period, experts said.

The comet named, "Schwassmann-Wachmann 3," will come closest to the Earth on May 12, but is expected to be most clearly seen during the Golden Week period from next weekend to May 7 when the comet will not be adversely affected by moonlight.

Researchers at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan said they confirmed in March that the comet's core had divided into four, adding that heat from the sun is believed to have caused the split.

The comet was discovered by a German national in 1930, and is orbiting the sun in a 5.4-year cycle. Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 has been called a mysterious comet as it disappeared for 49 years after it was discovered.
read more here: (Mainichi)