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Soon the Neowise comet will disappear from earth’s view, now is the time to see it soaring in the heavens.
In the first half of July, the comet could only be seen in the early morning. USA Today reports Neowise is now a feature in the evening sky, visible around one or two hours after the sunset and still able to be seen with the naked eye, as of July 21, 2020.
Although, NASA recommends using the help of binoculars or a telescope to make out the details of the spectacular comet because with the naked eye it will only appear as a “fuzzy star with a bit of a tail.”
Emily Kramer, a science team co-investigator for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said, “It’s quite rare for a comet to be bright enough that we can see it with a naked eye or even with just binoculars.”
Previously NASA was worried the comet would not survive its closest pass by the Sun but it safely made past it and is now headed back towards the outer solar system, and out of our reach. Comet Neowise will be fade away by the last week of July on its path towards the farther reaches of our solar system.
The best way to spot Neowise is to look below the Big Dipper in the northwest sky after the sunsets. Preferably, the best view to witness the comet would be a place not obstructed with city lights and buildings.
Written by Brielle R. Buford
Sources
USA Today: Comet Neowise: Catch it soon before it disappears for 6,800 years!
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