THIS fireball streaking across the Herefordshire sky is believed to be the recently discovered comet Neowise.

The picture (see below) was taken by Charlotte Jane at about 7.40pm today near her home between Holme Lacy and Dinedor, near Hereford.

She said: "I thought, Oh, that’s not a plane!, and I ran for my camera and my 150-500mm lens, but then panic set in as I fumbled with settings. I had to share it."

Hereford Times: Alan Brown took this picture of the comet over Hereford at 3amAlan Brown took this picture of the comet over Hereford at 3am

Comets are mostly made of dust, rocks and ice, and are the remnants from time the solar system was formed more than 4.6 billion years ago.

Neowise will reach its closest point to Earth on Thursday, July 23 and it is going to be visible from anywhere in the UK for the rest of the month.

It is best viewed at about 2.30am in the north-east sky anywhere in the country.

During its closest approach to Earth the comet will be about 64 million miles away, or about 400 times further away than the moon.

It is currently showing just below and to the lower left of the bright star Capella in the constellation of Auriga, and is moving westwards.

Hereford Times: The Neowise comet over Stoke Prior, near Leominster. Picture: Thomas SwanThe Neowise comet over Stoke Prior, near Leominster. Picture: Thomas Swan

By the end of the month the comet will move into Ursa Major and if it remains as bright as it is now then you should see its tail pointing into the Big Dipper.

The comet was discovered by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or NEOWISE, on March 27.

If you are under clear skies and look to the north, there is a good display of noctilucent clouds and you should also be able to catch a glimpse of Comet Neowise. 

NASA said the comet has become one of the few “naked-eye comets” of the 21st century after it “suddenly” became visible this week.

The size of comets can range from a few miles wide to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet.

Hereford Times: Comet Neowise over Arthur's Stone in Dorstone last night. Picture: Chris BridgesComet Neowise over Arthur's Stone in Dorstone last night. Picture: Chris Bridges

Hereford Times: Comet Neowise from Bredwardine Bridge. Picture: Chris BridgesComet Neowise from Bredwardine Bridge. Picture: Chris Bridges

Hereford Times: Comet Neowise as seen between Holme Lacy and Dinedor. Picture: Charlotte JaneComet Neowise as seen between Holme Lacy and Dinedor. Picture: Charlotte Jane

As these substances stream off the comet, they form a spectacular gas and dust cloud that tails behind them for millions of miles, and can often be seen from Earth with the naked eye.