Jun 13, 12:01 AM CST

Eccentric comet pays Earth second visit
By MORANA WINTER

FLORIDA (AP) -- Astronomers at Cape Kennedy Space Center outside Titusville, Florida report that early this morning rogue comet, GR-Z, has begun its closest approach to the Earth since being discovered a year ago. Unusual for the fact that no previously charted comet has ever exhibited an orbital period of less than a decade, the previous approach of this celestial body was nearly overlooked. This time, it is much closer but coming back from the same direction in which it had originally been headed.

"Retrograde motion has been observed in comets, before," asserts NASA researcher Dr. Li Vidya, "but that is the result of Earth's motion. This is the first time we have observed a comet having apparently changed course."

While there is no danger of GR-Z impacting the Earth, scientists are mystified by the celestial body's eccentric path.

"It may have encountered Venus, further in," hypothesized Dr. Faruq Teivel, an astrophysicist with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "but if so, it would be the rarest of events."

According to Teivel and his colleagues, the gravity of the Earth-sized Venus may have briefly altered the orbit of GR-Z and sent it hurtling back out into the solar system along a path bringing it close to Earth. Other theories range from an asteroid collision to, on the lunatic fringe, intelligent intervention.

"No matter the cause," Dr. Vidya stated, "it is a rare opportunity for both science and the general public. GR-Z will be visible to the naked eye wherever weather conditions permit."

Starting shortly after midnight in each time zone across the world, the comet will come within 250,000 miles of the Earth for approximately 46 hours.