Man proposes beneath once-in-6,800-year comet

A man has proposed to his fiancée during an event that occurs just once every 6,800 years or so - give or take a decade or two. John Nicotera, 33, popped the question to his now affianced Erica Pendrak, 26, while the Neowise comet passed over their heads. It will be another seven millennia before anyone else can get down on one knee and propose while the celestial body flies overhead. Mr Nicotera is a space buff. He knew the rare astronomical event would take place in the Northern Hemisphere for a limited time and planned his proposal to coincide with the comet being visible in the night sky. The couple drove to a campsite outside New York last week and John waited for the comet to appear.

Ms Pendrak immediately accepted Mr Nicotera's proposal. She told reporters that she knew her fiancé was taking her to see the once-in-a-lifetime event. She said she got the surprise of her life when he dropped down to one knee. She said: "I was just completely shocked - tears and everything. I felt instant chills and pure happiness." A photographer friend went to the campsite with the couple to capture the proposal with the comet whizzing by across the heavens. John and Erica are both teachers who like experiencing historical events together. John said: "Every single star was out. It was too special to let it go. I thought, 'I'm massively in love with this girl. I'm going to do it.'"