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We only live once so why not make the most of it?! Endeavor to discover something new everyday, no matter how big or small. I hope you enjoy my experiences off the beaten path and can use some of the info I’ve provided along the way!

Comet Neowise (Astronomical Name: C/2020 F3)

Comet Neowise (Astronomical Name: C/2020 F3)

Michael Choi
Nature, Seasonal & Periodic, Misc

DETAILS:

  • “Location”: In California through approximately July 22, 2020. Look for Neowise just above the horizon to the northwest. It should generally be located underneath the “Big Dipper” as a reference point.

  • “Hours of Operation”: Depending on your location in California, approximately 1.5hrs after sunset.

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes - 1 hour.

  • Miscellaneous:

    • You should be able to see Neowise with the naked eye, but binoculars or a small telescope will help.

    • Obviously, the further away you are from light pollution will help you spot Neowise.

    • Clouds/Haze will diminish viewing. Various websites like cleardarksky.com will help you determine the “best” viewing conditions throughout a given week.

Discovered on March 27, 2020 by The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge (JPL); Comet Neowise (named after the telescope that discovered it - the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) has recently been blazing its way through our solar system and is currently viewable by the naked eye for those fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this celestial event. Neowise it now viewable in California until approximately July 22 when it will reach its closest proximity to earth, and can best be seen approximately 1.5 hours after sunset, depending on your location in California. You should generally be looking for Neowise just above the horizon to your northwest. A good reference point is searching for it just underneath the “Big Dipper” (constellation: Ursa Major). There are plenty of free constellation apps (listed below) that can help you locate the Big Dipper, and some even have Neowise itself mapped out. Seeing Neowise is truly a once in a lifetime event (it won’t return to earth’s view for another 7,000 years!), so if you have an hour to spare in your evening, it’s definitely worth searching for. Good luck!

RESOURCES:

  • Free constellation apps to help locate Neowise: “SkySafari”, “Skyview Lite”, and “Night Sky”.

  • To help assess nightly viewing conditions for any type of star-gazing - cleardarksky.com.

  • Here’s a website to help track Neowise.

  • Another website to help track Neowise.

  • Space.com, a great reference website regarding all things outer-space.

  • NASA website.

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