The Night Sky

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Comet NEOWISE

This July, we can see another object that is orbiting our Sun, Comet NEOWISE.

A comet is a ball of ice, rock, and dust that originates in the outskirts of our Solar System and orbits the Sun. Sometimes a comet will fly close enough that it can be viewed from Earth.

The heat from the Sun causes the ice to sublimate, or turn from a solid to a gas, giving the comet a bright circular comaand a long tail.

Through July 14^th, Comet NEOWISE is visible about two hours before sunrise in the northeast part of the sky. After July 14^th, the comet will hopefully be visible during the evening hours in the northwestern sky.

Check out this article from Sky and Telescope for more detailed information:

https://skyandtelescope.org/press-releases/new-bright-visitor-comet-neowise/

You may be able to see Comet NEOWISE with your naked eye, though binoculars or a small telescope will give you a much better view.

Comets are usually named for their discoverers, and NEOWISE was first seen by a NASA spacecraft called the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). WISE was later used to look for Near-Earth Objects (NEO). Because of this, the comet was named NEOWISE.

Here's how to see it: https://apple.news/AQshAE4ZuSKWROJ7kLIxweQ