Tallahassee may have rare chance to see Comet NEOWISE – before it disappears for 6,800 years

Tallahassee Democrat staff

Star gazers are getting a once in a nearly seven millennia opportunity this summer with the appearance of the Comet Neowise.

Around the world, the recently discovered comet has been visible to the naked eye in the early morning sky and is now making an appearance in the evenings after sunset as well.

For better viewing, a simple pair of binoculars are all that should be needed to observe the comet in greater detail, including the long tail of gases being released as the sun melts some of the icy core.

It's actually the brightest comet in 23 years, since Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997, according to NASA.

Over the next few days, look for the comet in the northwest about a half-hour after sunset. You’ll need a clear view of the horizon.

If predictions hold true, it promises to be a spectacular view, said Ken Kopczynski, who writes an astronomy column as the Democrat's Sky Guy.

For the best chance at seeing the comet, viewers will have to find a location away from urban light pollution. Locally, the coast and some of the area's larger lakes can provide dark skies, but light pollution from more urban areas may interfere with viewing of the comet

Finding a spot with northwest views can be a challenge, Kopczynski said, but he was going to check out Lake Ella.

"There is plaza near the Plaza Tower Condos at Kleman Plaza that faces west and the Civic Center has a really big deck facing west," he said.

The comet makes its closest approach to Earth on July 22.

This chart shows where to spot Comet NEOWISE on the evenings of July 15-23.

Day by day, the comet will get higher in the sky, further from the sun’s glare and actually get dimmer.

"Think of a fan blowing on a piece of paper," he said. "As you get further from the fan the wind has less effect on the paper. Because the solar wind causes the tail, as the comet gets further from the sun it has less of a tail."

If you miss the comet this time around, you may have a long wait for the next opportunity to see Neowise. The comet is not due back in the inner solar system for another 6,800 years.

Sky & Telescope says to start looking about 1 hour after sunset, when you’ll find it just over the northwestern horizon as the last of twilight fades into darkness. Look about three fists below the bottom of the Big Dipper, which is hanging down by its handle high above, and from there perhaps a little to right

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