LOCAL stargazers have been enjoying the once in a life time sight of five planets lined up in the sky - all visible to the naked eye - plus the arrival of an unexpected comet!

In what is an astronomical feast, there's currently a rare grouping of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, which will not be seen again in a similar alignment for over a century.

And the appearance of an unexpected comet in the sky has also excited local astronomers.

Skywatchers gazing at the heavens just after sunset may get a glimpse of a cosmic wanderer - Comet Ikeya-Zhang.

The comet is a surprise visitor to the inner solar system, having appeared without warning a few weeks ago.

The object, first picked up by two amateur astronomers in Japan and China, is hovering on the limits of unaided-eye visibility but is a spectacular sight in binoculars for those looking from the northern hemisphere.

Denis Buczynski of Conder Brow Observatory near Lancaster, says the comet is remarkable for two reasons and explained: " First, it was discovered visually.

These days, most comets are discovered by automatic patrols.

Secondly, it is a return of a comet last seen in the 1600s.

No other comet with such a long period has been observed on subsequent returns before.

The comet reaches its closest approach to the Sun in a few days' time, after which it will then appear in the north-western pre-dawn sky.

Although the comet will be receding from the Sun, it will come closer to the Earth on its outward bound journey and should still appear as bright as it is now."

And anyone looking out towards the western sky after sunset should also be able to see the planetary alignment spectacle.

The red planet Mars may be faint but the others , including Saturn, should be clearly visible.

Over the next two or three weeks, the planets will move closer together and become more bunched.

Tony Sizer of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, said: "The planets can currently be seen across the world though they are most visible in areas not covered with bright light, in the northern hemisphere."

He added: "It is important for astronomers because they can see all the planets with the naked eye, but I do not think it will lead to the end of the earth as was historically feared."