This week in science: night of the comet

There's a comet in the evening sky. It's dim, not easy to see, and the video above may help you zero in on it. There are more comets coming this year:

Comet Pan-STARRS is officially known as C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) and was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers with the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (or PAN-STARRS). Scientists estimate that the comet takes more than 100 million years to orbit the sun once.

Pan-STARRS made its closest approach to Earth last week and was closest to the sun on Sunday (March 10). The object is one of several comets visible in the night sky this year. The Comet Lemmon has been closely tracked by amateur astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere since January, while the Comet ISON' which some scientists say could be a potential "comet of the century" ' is making its way toward the inner solar system.

Who knows? Maybe there's something going on out in the Oort Cloud, something ancient, now stirring ...

• Urey-Miller goes cosmic.
• I have some questions about self publishing. See my first comment below for more.
• It is the Higgs!
• Even the most dyed in the red-wool elephantine wingnut extraordinaire grasps the fact that science equals money! It happens a little bird told me there may be some cash and capital being handed out soon for anyone who has a business plan for new or improved space-y products. Maybe I'll have the link[s] with more info and where you can apply soon.