Stargazers who look up in the sky over Beaufort are in for a treat with a newly discovered comet that is visible in the July night sky without a telescope. The comet Neowise is passing near Earth and can be seen with the naked eye.
It will be closest to Earth next week and is visible now until the end of the month in the at early dawn and at dusk.
For the next few days it will be easier to see at dawn with it being at the highest point in the morning on July 11. It will get lower each day and will be more easily visible at dusk, according to EarthSky.org.
Researchers say this is the first time the comet will be passing Earth in 6,800 years, and at the moment, it’s brighter than Halley’s Comet was back in 1986.
Starting Sunday, stargazers will be able to see it in the evening. After sunset, look for the comet toward the northwest, just below the Big Dipper.
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that isn’t littered with city lights that will obstruct your view. With very little ground light disturbing the skies here in the Lowcountry, Beaufort is the perfect spot to see the comet.
The comet will be closest to Earth on July 22nd, at a distance of about 64 million miles. That may seem like a long distance away, but in scale, due to the brightness of comet Neowise, it will seem very close to wherever you are on Earth.
Visit here for the best viewing suggestions from EarthSky.
If you get a photo of the comet Neowise, you can have some fun and take part in NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day program. Visit here for more information.
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