Green comet to be seen for first time in 11,500 years

A glowing green comet is making its closest approach to Earth and providing amateur astronomers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will not come again for 8,000 years.

On a clear dark night, Comet Lovejoy is just about bright enough to be glimpsed as a small smudge of light with the naked eye.

Through a small telescope or binoculars it appears as a softly glowing, bluish green ball.