We have a once-in-6,800-years opportunity to see a comet in Washington's skies

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A telescope in space meant to detect dangerous objects headed toward Earth found a passing comet in March. Now, you can see it in the night sky above western Washington.

Comet NEOWISE is in the evening sky, just below the Big Dipper through July and possibly into August, astronomers say. It’s marked by two graceful trails.

While the world was engrossed in the exploding coronavirus pandemic March 27, NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer spotted the comet.

“It’s helping us find stuff out there,” said Bill Vinson, an amateur astronomer and member of the Tacoma Astronomical Society, said of the space telescope. “We don’t want to go the way of the dinosaurs.”

NEOWISE is still getting closer to Earth, making its closet approach on July 22. Don’t panic — there’s no chance of a collision. However, the comet’s luminosity is decreasing because it’s getting further from the sun every day.

For local astronomers, the comet is proof that even in our solar system, space still holds surprises.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/we-have-a-once-in-6800-years-opportunity-to-see-a-comet-in-washingtons-skies/ar-BB16ScSa?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=DELLDHP

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. I saw the other night

It was below the Big Dipper. Look NW near the horizon about one hour after sunset. Honestly, I could barely see it. It was a large dot with a faint spray of light behind it. But, I can say that I saw it!