Gaze at Spectacular Comet NEOWISE or Wait Another 7,000 Years

A newly identified comet that only visits our solar system every 7,000 years will be visible in the sky of the Northern Hemisphere until mid-August. 

Update: As predicted, Comet Neowise has swung around in its approach to earth’s orbit and is now visible in the northwest evening sky. Start looking below the Big Dipper as soon as the sun sets, or gaze an hour before sunrise.  The comet has held together nicely and is wowing people with its brightness and beauty.

When and Where Can I View the Spectacular NEOWISE Comet in the Sky?

Depending on how well the comet stays together (gravity and heat from the sun can potentially break it apart), NEOWISE may be the brightest comet seen in 25 years.  The comet will be closest to the earth on July 22, 2020 – “close” being a little over 64 million miles away. The best sightings have passed:  the mornings of July 11, 12 and 13, but the view may still be a fascinating sight for viewers for a while longer as the end of summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere.

What Time of Day is Best to View the Comet?

The best time to see it is one hour before sunrise low in the northeastern sky. But how long it will be visible is unpredictable as it gets further from the Sun. and becomes lower on the horizon.  It will be visible later until mid-August in the evening sky, but may by then have lost too much of the Sun-generated brightness to be visible without at least binoculars. 

What Can Affect How Well I Can See the Comet?

Ironically, as the comet gets closer to earth, it may dim more, because it will be further from the Sun.  The lack of solar heating will diminish the brightness of the comet’s tail, created by evaporation of debris from its surface as it approached the burning Sun.

What is the Origin of the Name for the Comet NEOWISE?

NASA named the comet after its telescope that discovered it: NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or NEOWISE. 

Further Reading

1. https://www.space.com/comet-neowise-visibility-july-2020.html
2. https://phys.org/news/2020-07-comet-streaking-earth-spectacular.html
3. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13661
4. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/how-to-see-comet-neowise

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