Comet NEOWISE has captivated stargazers in recent weeks, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in luck. Slooh’s astronomy learning website will host a free live stream tonight (July 18).
The comet, officially known as C / 2020 F3 NEOWISE, is currently visible in the northwest sky just after sunset to sky watchers in the northern hemisphere. Clear, dark skies away from city lights and a clear view of the northwest horizon are needed.
Tonight, Slooh will host a live webcast on 5 pm EDT (2100 GMT) and you can watch it live here, courtesy of Slooh. You can also watch it directly from Slooh here, as well as through the company’s YouTube page here. Webcasting is an opportunity for sky watchers in the southern hemisphere (where Comet NEOWISE is not visible) to see the comet, and an opportunity for other stargazers affected by city lights or cloudy skies.
Related: How to See NEOWISE Comet in the Night Sky Now
Plus: Best Telescopes for the Money – 2020 Reviews and Guide
See kite NEOWISE?
(Image credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins APL / Naval Research Lab / Parker Solar Probe / Brendan Gallagher)
If you see Comet NEOWISE, let us know! Send images and comments to [email protected] to share your views.
“It is a truly magical experience to witness such a large comet adorning our skies!” Slooh’s chief of astronomy Paul Cox said in a statement. “We will tell viewers how they can see it from their backyards, and Slooh members will continue to see it in Slooh’s live telescope views every night this week.”
Comet NEOWISE was discovered in March by NASA’s NEOWISE space telescope and made its closest approach to the sun on July 3. In early July, the comet was only visible in the sky before sunrise, but on July 15 it became a visible night sky object to the naked eye.
The comet can be seen below the Big Dipper star pattern in the northwest sky.
“If you are looking at the sky without the aid of observation tools, Comet NEOWISE will probably look like a blurry star with a bit of a tail, so using binoculars or a small telescope is recommended to get the best views of this object, NASA said in a notice.
Related: Incredible photos of Comet NEOWISE from Earth and space
Comet NEOWISE offers a rare gift to sky watchers, as it has been 23 years since a comet has appeared so bright in the night sky, NASA scientists said.
That comet was Comet Hale-Bopp, which became a bright object in the night sky in 1997 and was visible to the naked eye for 18 months.
Related: The 9 brightest comets ever seen
If you take an amazing photo or video of Comet NEOWISE in the night sky? Let us know! To share images and videos for a possible story or gallery, send images and comments to [email protected].
Email Tariq Malik at [email protected] or follow him at @tariqjmalik. Follow us on @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram.
