Spotting Comet NEOWISE

This month we are treated to a very rare light show, a comet passing by. The last comet to pass by that was this bright was back in 1997, Comet Hale-Bopp. Comet NEOWISE survived its perilous journey close to the Sun (many comets do not) on July 3rd. During this time, Comet NEOWISE was ignited becoming visible from Earth with even the naked eye. If weather complies, you shouldn’t miss this amazing opportunity to see a comet which is especially interesting to see with its visible tail of ice and and dust that trail it.

I have been having serious FOMO seeing pictures of Comet NEOWISE by my friends who have gone out in the early morning already and gotten some sweet pics. The good news is that this light show is continuing well into later this month until the comet eventually fades on its journey to the outskirts of the solar system, 67 billion miles from the Sun (that is 720 times our distance to the Sun!). It is important to note that comets are unpredictable. Comet NEOWISE may run out of steam sooner than expected so try to view it as early as possible. Anywho, let’s get to it…. how can you see comet NEOWISE?!?!?

Right now the best time to see Comet NEOWISE is in the early morning. As it continues its journey through our solar system it will switch to be visible in the evening.

The last morning to see the comet is on the 13th (tomorrow). You will look northeast 80 minutes before sunrise. It should be about 10 degrees above the horizon. Joe Rao of Space.com gives this great suggestion of holding out your fist just on the horizon; the top of your fist is about 10 degrees above the horizon. Once the Sun rises, the brightness from the Sun’s light will wash out the comet so get as many pictures as early as you can.

For us late risers, the good news is beginning on the 12th the comet will be above the horizon in the evening. By the 14th, the comet will be at ten degrees above the horizon, high enough to see without the pesky Sun outshining it. Since we are now observing in the evening, you will be looking northwest instead of northeast. As the nights go on it will continuously get higher and higher from the horizon. This is great for observing because it means darker and darker at night and less pollution to see through. The trick is hoping the comet doesn’t dissipate as time goes on.

For the exact area to look for any of these observances, I recommend checking Heavens-Above before you head out. The top left image will show where the comet is in the sky with its nearest constellations labeled. Pick the closest one and use use an app (like the one I suggested) to figure out where that constellation is in your night sky. Heavens-Above also lists what constellation the comet is in, in the position information at the bottom left of its site but for me it is easier to match the visual of the picture to the app’s map.

By the 22nd, the comet will make its closest approach to Earth. Don’t worry though, it will still be tens of millions of miles away.

In the meantime, check out the cool pictures astrophotographers have taken around the world! I will leave you with one taken above our Earth.

Happy Observing!