A comet discovered in images of the Sun taken by the SOHO spacecraft can be tracked through Saturday, April 20, by anyone with an Internet connection.

Animation of the comet from SOHO images taken in recent days.

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft sits part way between Earth and the Sun. The craft is used to study the Sun's dynamic energy and help forecast space weather that might affect Earth. It's images have been used to discover hundreds of comets. The mission is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency.

The comet is visible in images produced by SOHO's LASCO C3 instrument. In animated sequences of the images, the comet appears at the bottom edge, moving up and to the left. Scientists say it will move back toward the right and exit at the top right of the camera's field of view. It made its closest approach to the Sun April 17.

Usually, comets seen by the SOHO spacecraft quickly burn up in the Sun's hot atmosphere. Many simply get too close and are swallowed. But astronomers said this one will not be destroyed. Instead, it will round the Sun and head back out into the solar system.

Scientists caution that the comet is visible only with SOHO's special equipment and that no one should try to see it by looking at the Sun. Doing so would damage your eyes.

• You can monitor the comet's progress at a NASA site that archives still and animated LASCO C3 images.
• SPACE.com Cams: See the Sun and Earth's aurora live (does not include comet)
• Space Weather Forecast