Comet Neowise Is Approaching Earth

• nemesis maturity
  Tomorrow night may be your best chance to see Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) for the next 6,800 years. On July 23rd, the comet makes its closest approach to Earth–only 0.63 AU (103 million km) away. It’s still visible to the naked eye (barely) from dark sky sites, but will fade as it recedes after this week. If you can’t see the comet after the sky fades to black on Thursday, try using binoculars. Even a little magnification brings NEOWISE into view. Short exposures with digital cameras reveal the comet’s magnificent double tail. Comet NEOWISE is now in the constellation Ursa Major. To find it, look north-northwest after sunset and let the stars of the Big Dipper be your guide. And if you miss the comet … no worries. It’ll be back in 6,800 years!

end