How to see NEOWISE ‘Comet of the century’ as its closest step to Earth on July 22, then fades away

Comet NEOWISE has dazzled sky watchers in the northern hemisphere, but it is on its way.

On Wednesday, July 22, the comet will be at its closest point to Earth (64 million miles, so no, it’s not dangerous!), But there are three reasons why you should go out and see the NEOWISE comet in your next clear night:

• It moves away from the Sun, so it dims slightly.
• The crescent moon is popping up this week, with a bigger, brighter moon that will make it a little harder to see with the naked eye when we get to the weekend.

What is Comet NEOWISE?

The most spectacular comet on Earth since 2007 is now an overnight object, observable in the northern night sky throughout the night. It is a long-period comet that enters the inner Solar System only once every 6,800 years or so.

That is older than Stonehenge, an ancient monument that Comet NEOWISE is making its first appearance on the ancient monument, among many others.

Here’s how to see Comet NEOWISE, an icy visitor from the far reaches of the Solar System who is now saying goodbye.

When and where to see Comet NEOWISE

From the northern midlatitudes of the northern hemisphere, you should face northeast approximately one hour after sunset. It is about 10-15– above the horizon. The comet will move northwest on the latter on the night you watch. It is never established, at least for now. It is just below the “Big Dipper” / “Plow”.

How to see Comet NEOWISE

Yes, you can see the comet with the naked eye. However, you must use “vision averted” to get the most out of it. Find the comet, look a little away from it, and your eyes will appreciate its brightness much better. It sounds weird, but it works!

Still, if you want the best possible view, use binoculars. That way, you will get an amazing view of the current core and its dust and gas tail. All the images you are viewing are not compared to seeing them with the naked eye, but you need patience.

Why is Comet NEOWISE so bright?

Comet NEOWISE now shines at a magnitude of around +1.9, though that’s a generous estimate IMO. Although it is a bit dimmer than it was, it is still relatively bright because it has just passed its perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, and is as close to Earth as it is going to get. You could also be experiencing some kind of explosion, which could stop at any time.

So for various reasons, the NEOWISE comet could greatly reduce its brightness and quickly retreat from being a comet with the naked eye.

So catch the comet while you can!

When was the last ‘Great Comet’?

There have been two decent “Big Kites” at a glance in the past 25 years; Hale-Bopp in 1997 and Comet McNaught in 2007, which was largely seen only in the southern hemisphere.

Yes, that’s it: two kites at a glance in 23 years. Do that three!

That is why it is so important that if you are in the Northern Hemisphere you come out the next night clear and look north._{It could be the only opportunity you have in your entire life to see a comet with the naked eye.}

Having seen the NEOWISE comet, your next question is likely to be “when is the next comet in plain sight?” That, unfortunately, is impossible to answer.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes