The year’s Top 10: a deeper look

10. Nights of the cometThe grandeur of Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1) caught everyone by surprise. Astronomy Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich alerted readers January 8, 2007, that the new comet was bright enough and high enough in the sky for northern observers all week. McNaught swung around the Sun, and then put on a record display in the Southern Hemisphere.Even as the comet itself dove out of view for northern observers, Astronomy columnist Stephen James O’Meara joined many who noticed its linger…