How to see the spectacular comet Neowise with the naked eye

[Judi Lynn]

SPACE 13 July 2020
By Will Gater



Comet Neowise as seen from the UK in the early hours of 11 July

Will Gater

A comet discovered earlier this year by an orbiting NASA observatory is delighting stargazers in the northern hemisphere while it whips through the inner solar system, as it is currently bright enough in the night sky to be visible without binoculars or a telescope.

Comet Neowise – or C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), to give it its proper name – was first spotted in March by astronomers using the infrared-observing NEOWISE telescope and is now in the part of its 6800-year orbit that brings it close to the sun.

In the past few weeks, Neowise has developed a spectacular, curving tail composed of dust particles ejected from the main body of the comet as it is warmed by the sun. This dusty trail catches sunlight, causing the comet to shine in the night sky.

Long-exposure images taken by astrophotographers in recent days show that the comet also has a second tail. The faint blue ion tail is likely produced by ultraviolet radiation and interactions with particles from the sun known as the solar wind.

Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2248712-how-to-see-the-spectacular-comet-neowise-with-the-naked-eye/#ixzz6S6zPkDDp