How to See Comet NEOWISE, the Most Spectacular Comet on Earth Since 2007

Occasionally, large icy objects pass through the inner Solar System.

When they get close to the Sun, the ice sublimes and emits volatile gases.

Both dust and ions are expelled, creating spectacular cometary tails.

From Earth, these comets tend to appear brighter during the closest approach.

Brilliant kites to the naked eye are rare, with Hale-Bopp from 1997 as our newest “big kite”.

Since then, only the 2007 McNaught comet was comparable, primarily to observers in the southern hemisphere.

But in July 2020, Comet NEOWISE will present the largest cometary show on Earth in 13 years.

With an orbital period of 6,800 years, it last appeared before the wheel was invented.

On July 3, 2020, he reached perihelion, surviving a dangerous encounter with the Sun.

Since then, it has graced our skies before dawn, but relative motion changes everything.

On July 12/13 2020, Comet NEOWISE finally becomes visible after sunset.

Although brighter than all but around 20 stars, its extended and diffuse nature makes it a challenge to human eyes.

Binoculars are easiest to locate first, under the Big Dipper in the northwest skies.

It will peak on July 23: reaching its closest approach to Earth.

For many sky watchers, it is already humanity’s best kite since 1997.

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Mostly Mute Monday tells an astronomical story in pictures, images and no more than 200 words. Talk less; smile more.