A space-loving New York man managed to come up with a once-in-a-lifetime proposition, or rather, a one-time proposition in 6,800 years, when Comet Neowise passed through the skies of the United States this month.
John Nicotera, 33, and Erica Pendrak, 26, had been dating for two years when, on July 18, they headed to John’s family camp in Old Forge, New York, to search for Comet Neowise, who was making a rare appearance in The Northern Hemisphere.
While Erica knew they were there for the celestial event, it was a surprise when John knelt down and posed the question for a more realistic moment as the comet soared through the sky above them.
Amazing! John Nicotera, 33, and Erica Pendrak, 26, had been dating for two years when, on July 18, John proposed under the comet Neowise
Out of this world: John, a space lover, knew that the rare comet would be visible in the northern hemisphere for a limited time.
Super rare: the comet is only visible to the naked eye every 6,800 years
John and Erica are teachers who like to experience historical events together, but John in particular is a big fan of space.
When he learned that Neowise would pass 160 million miles from Earth, he knew that the chances of finding a more incredible background for a proposal were astronomical.
The comet, which is only visible to the naked eye in the northern hemisphere every 6,800 years, was first seen in the sky on July 15 and can continue to be visible until the end of the month.
“This could be our commitment,” he told himself, according to CNN. “This is not going to happen in our lives or in the lives of five generations.”
High in the sky: the comet named after NASA’s Neowise spacecraft that first saw it (photographed in North Carolina on July 18)
Cute couple: John and Erica are teachers who like to experience historical events together, but John in particular is a huge space fan
So John had no time to waste and planned the camping trip to coincide with his grand proposal.
He and Erica were enjoying the view of the comet when he dropped to one knee to ask her to marry him.
“Each star was out … it was too special to let go,” he said. ‘I just remember how much happiness I had for myself. All nerves were gone at that point. I was like: I’m massively in love with this girl. I’m going to do it.”‘
Erica also found it quite special, telling WEPT: ‘I was completely shocked. Tears and everything.
‘I was completely shocked. Tears and everything, ” Erica said of the proposal.
Knowing that it was necessary to capture the moment on camera, John also made his friend, photographer Tim Leach, come to take photos.
“Tim froze time so we could live this moment forever,” John said of Tim’s long-exposure shot. “I have never seen anything so beautiful.”
Now the couple awaits what comes next.
“I love being able to share genuine, serious and loving moments with John as much as I can share silly moments,” Erica told Insider.
What is Comet Neowise?
The newly discovered Neowise Comet is pictured on July 24.
The newly discovered Neowise comet is only visible from Earth once every 6,800 years.
It is named after the NASA spacecraft, Neowise, which first saw it.
According to NASA, the comet’s nucleus is three miles (4.8 kilometers) wide. It emits a tail of dust and possibly two tails of gas as it moves through space at about 144,000 mph (232,000 kph).
Now returning to the outer solar system, the comet has approached 64 million miles (103 million km) from Earth.
The comet should remain visible until the end of July and possibly until August through the northern hemisphere.
It is visible to the naked eye and can be seen under the Big Dipper, but a good pair of binoculars or a telescope will improve your vision. A clear night with limited light pollution is important to success.
Source: AP
Depicted at Gorge State Park in Nevada on July 23, the comet has a nucleus three miles (4.8 kilometers) wide
.
