In the last few days, a newly-discovered comet has been taking over the skies and social media feeds. Dubbed the Neowise comet, it first graced skies in the early morning hours earlier this month but can now be seen shortly after sunset right here in New Mexico.
The comet was initially spotted on March 27 by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mission, abbreviated to NEOWISE.
Heather Tianen / Getty Images In heat-sensitive images, the comet appeared as a series of red dots, indicating a moving object in the solar system.
The comet is following an elliptical route that sped past Mercury and around the sun before flying by Earth this month.
NASA/Wikimedia Commons On July 23, it will reach its closest point to Earth, which is still a whopping 64 million miles away. Its orbital period is approximately 6,800 years, meaning this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime viewing.
Measuring approximately three miles across, the comet is one of the brightest we’ve seen since the Hale-Bopp comet back in 1997.
RS2Photography/Flickr
Likewise, the Neowise comet can be easily seen in dark places with the naked eye.
John Fowler/Flickr City dwellers may need a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to see the comet.
The comet can be found in the northwestern sky approximately one hour after sunset.
H. Raab/Flickr Search for the Big Dipper and you’ll spot the comet just below the constellation. You can find more viewing tips on the NASA website.
Have you taken the time to spot the Neowise comet? Where did you view it?
Hypatia Alexandria/Flickr
If you’re not quite sure where to head, we recommend checking out one of New Mexico’s certified International Dark-Sky Places. These locations are overwhelmingly free of light pollution, meaning you’ll have a spectacular view of the comet. Read more in These Are Some Of The Darkest Places In New Mexico And You’ll Want To Visit.
Heather Tianen / Getty Images
In heat-sensitive images, the comet appeared as a series of red dots, indicating a moving object in the solar system.
NASA/Wikimedia Commons
On July 23, it will reach its closest point to Earth, which is still a whopping 64 million miles away. Its orbital period is approximately 6,800 years, meaning this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime viewing.
RS2Photography/Flickr
John Fowler/Flickr
City dwellers may need a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to see the comet.
H. Raab/Flickr
Search for the Big Dipper and you’ll spot the comet just below the constellation. You can find more viewing tips on the NASA website.
Hypatia Alexandria/Flickr
For more awesome photos of Neowise snapped by locals, check out our New Mexico Nature Lovers Facebook group and feel free to share your own shots!
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