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Portal 15 minutes Linas Šmigelskas, director of the Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology, briefly told about the comet and shared her advice with everyone who wants to observe it.
A rare astronomical phenomenon
Comet C / 2020 F3 (NEOWISE) can currently be seen in Lithuania with the naked eye. This comet was discovered very recently, only in 2020. March 27 It was discovered as a new object by scientific telescopes, and on March 31. confirmed to be a comet.
According to L.Šmigelskas, a comet of such brightness on Earth’s sky is an exceptional phenomenon. In a century, only 4 to 5 comets appear on Earth. The last time a comet of this brightness was observed in the sky was in 1997, when Comet Halle Bopp flew close to Earth.
Scientists, according to the director of the Museum of Ethnocosmology, still cannot always predict exactly when the solar system will be visited by comets of such brightness and how well they will look from Earth.
“Several times, scientists have predicted that a comet will appear soon, that it will be bright enough to be observed in the night sky. And a few years ago, a comet predicted that it might be brighter than the Moon. But for various reasons, it did not achieve such brightness. And here the current comet is really bright and well visible, people take photos, share beautiful photos, “said L. Šmigelskas.
Scanpix Photo / Comet over Dresden
The closest point to the Sun was a comet on July 3. And at the closest point to Earth, it will be July 23. That day, 103 million km will be assigned to Earth and the comet.
In comparison, the average distance from Earth to the Sun is approximately 150 million. kilometers Then the comet will be much closer to Earth than the Sun.
VIDEO: A stunning image captured in the sky may be the first such phenomenon in decades
The comet will be visible in the sky for some time.
Lithuanians will still have a chance to see the comet last night. According to L. Šmigelskas, scientists predict that the comet should be visible in the summer night sky in late July. Therefore, it will be possible to observe the comet in Lithuania on clear nights for a few more weeks.
It is true that L. Šmigelskas warns that not every night the image of a comet will be equally impressive, but also depends on the position of the comet in relation to Earth on a particular night.
“The beauty of the comet also depends on how the tail twists. If it goes, let’s say yes, sideways, we see both the comet and that tail. But if the tail appears, for example, behind or in front of a comet, then the object is visible in the sky, but the tail is not visible, and the impression and beauty diminish, “says L. Šmigelskas.
Photo from Scanpix / Zumapress.com / Neowise Comet
According to the director of the Museum of Ethnocosmology, the comet is best seen after about an hour or a half after sunset, when the deepest darkness arrives. Look for it looking up at the sky to the north. The comet should be visible near the constellation of the Great Turtle Wheels.
L.Šmigelskas advises city residents who want to observe the comet and see its brightest image to go to the outskirts of the city, where the night sky is best visible.
“Where there is less light pollution, the object will be more visible.
Where there is less light pollution, the subject will be more visible.
Of course, you always have to look at it in practice, but from what I’ve seen photos, many people take photos on the outskirts of Vilnius. I would suggest people to drive a little, even a short distance, but still from the city to the suburbs, and then watch the comet, “said L. Šmigelskas.
L.Šmigelskas also advises finding at least simple binoculars in preparation for observing the comet. According to him, the view in the sky will be even more impressive.
“Binoculars are comfortable because they cover a fairly large area of the sky and it is convenient to have them with you. (…) If any of the acquaintances has a small telescope or binoculars, it is possible to cooperate and see together. Share your knowledge not only about the comet, but also about the entire night sky. It is always more interesting to observe in a group than separately, ”said the director of the Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology.
Comets are small bodies in the solar system that orbit in very long orbits. Comets have a hard nucleus (usually 1 to 20 km in diameter) made up of gas and dust frozen in ice.
When comets get close enough to the Sun, the ice begins to melt, creating a comet atmosphere called a coma (which can be up to a million kilometers in diameter), often forming a tail of gas or dust, usually away from the Sun .
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