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Listen, 2020 could be a little bad. We understand. But that does not mean that there are no things to wait. For example, the first visible comet of the year is flying across Earth this weekend. Aaand it will not reappear in our solar system for another 6,800 years.
According to NASA, Comet Neowise, a newly discovered three-mile-wide comet that is visible to the naked eye, has already appeared in the early morning sky. But starting this week, it will be visible after sunset (so you don’t have to wake up at sunrise). And while you’ll likely be able to see it until July (depending on your location), Neowise will be closer to Earth, and thus at its brightest point, on July 22.
Naowise, named after the space telescope used to discover it, is also the brightest comet to appear in 23 years (the last one was Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997). For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere looking to catch a glimpse, the comet will be easier to spot from July 14 (today) through 19, about an hour after sunset. It is then that the light is enough to see it against the night sky without turning it off. Neowise will be in the northwest part of the sky, just below the Big Dipper. And like most sky-watching events, it’s always best to get off a little early so your eyes can adjust to the dark. Use it as an excuse to dine outside.
Since NASA says that this comet takes approximately 6,800 years to complete its journey around the sun, it will not be visible again in our lives. However, there is no pressure.
Add Comet Neowise to the growing list of astronomical events that occur in July, including the maximum brightness of Jupiter and Saturn (July 14 and 20, respectively) and a double meteor shower at the end of the month. 2020 is not all a wash, right?
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