How to see Comet NEOWISE

[Fla Dem]

Posted by Eddie Irizarry in SPACE | July 21, 2020
Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is magnificent now, through binoculars, in the northwest each evening. It’s coming into view for observers at latitudes like those in the southern U.S., and even farther south. Charts and more info here.



Location of Comet NEOWISE from July 20 to 26. Face northwest, just after sunset. Avoid trees or buildings to have a clear view of the northwest horizon. Sweep with your binoculars around the location for the comet marked on this chart. Some might barely see the comet with the unaided eye. So far, evening views have been available mostly to observers at latitudes like those in the northern U.S. We are beginning to receive photos and reports of comet sightings from observers in the southern U.S., and even lower latitudes. Observers at lower latitudes will see Comet NEOWISE lower in the sky. This comet is not visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.

https://earthsky.org/space/how-to-see-comet-c2020-f3-neowise

[cbdo2007]

1. I've been watching it about every night - it is beautiful!!

Except for last night when it was cloudy, I've seen it about every night for the past week or so. Excited for more photo, viewing opportunites!

[flibbitygiblets]

2. Binoculars definitely needed to see it!

When they say "barely visible to the naked eye", to my naked eye, that meant that the sky where Neowise was located, is slightly lighter than the rest of the sky. I'd have never noticed it without binoculars!

To expand on the instructions to "sweep your binoculars", that really helps. Because Neowise doesn't look like regular stars, there's a bright aura coming from it (referred to as the "tail&quot . As soon as it gets dark, I was able to scan around that area of the sky using binoculars, starting just under the big dipper, and moving back and forth and down until I saw bright area that was much wider than individual stars or planets. Then when I focused on that area, it was obvious that I'd found it.

The last thing I'd mention is, you can see it for hours after sunset. Being a complete astronomy newbie, I thought it would be like a slow moving shooting star, but I found that on any given night, you really can't notice it moving. So don't fret if you don't get outside to see it immediately after sunset.

[Fla Dem]

3. Thanks for the added information!

[PCIntern]

4. I'm an amateur birder so I have a scope

And if you Know anyone who has one, borrow it or prevail upon them to come out with you and look at that sky to the north west. Depending upon where you are it’s right above the horizon. There’s a great app called Night Sky which is beyond remarkable when used with a smart phone. If you hold the phone over your scope or your binoculars it will show you where the comet is that exact moment. And of course any other star or planet which you may wish to look at. Right now you can see Jupiter and moons as well as Saturn and the rings right on the plane of the ecliptic. The app will show you the plane of the ecliptic so you don’t have to worry about trying to find it.

Amazing thing about this app is wherever you hold it up in the sky it will tell you exactly what you’re looking at. You can filter out satellites or rocket bodies or constellation glass forms which are striking and remarkable but somewhat distracting. You can also watch the international space station and track it with the app.

I know I sound Over enthusiastic but I’m telling you it is just remarkable.

[flibbitygiblets]

5. +1 on Night Sky app--it rocks!

I have a scope but either it's defective or I suck at setting it up. Worked much better with my ginormous binoculars, for me.