After the penumbral eclipse on July 5, which coincided with the first full moon of the month, astronomy lovers can enjoy a new phenomenon in our sky without the need for binoculars or telescopes: Comet C / 2020 F3 Neowise. A celestial body, discovered by the NASA satellite with the same name last March, that It will remain visible in the northern hemisphere until next Wednesday, July 15 at magnitude 2.
As announced by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, where you can enjoy this astronomical event throughout the month of July, the C / 2020 F3 Neowise will not be visible in the sky again for 6,800 years. For that same reason, and if you don’t want to miss one of the astronomical phenomena of the year, pay attention. Despite the fact that we only have half an hour to observe it, due to the fact that the light of dawn makes it disappear, it is worth it.
How to see Comet C / 2020 F3 Neowise with the naked eye
As has been announced by the Royal Astronomical Observatory of Madrid through social networks, we are at an ideal time to see the comet C / 2020 F3 Neowise with the naked eye from our latitudes (about 40º N). To find it, we will only have to look at the northeast before the sun rises. Specifically towards the constellation Auriga, in the northern hemisphere, whose brightest star is Capella.
Researchers from the Madrid observatory assure that the comet will be low, for what they recommend a clear horizon without obstacles. If we focus our attention to that region just before sunrise, we will be able to see the comet with the naked eye at magnitude 2 until next July 15. However, and if you want to enjoy it with a greater level of detail, you can resort to binoculars so as not to miss a single detail.
Next July 23 will be observable at sunset
As of July 15, as collected Cometography, the comet will begin to be visible to the naked eye in the dark of night, although still at a low altitude and at magnitude 2.5 and gradually diminishing its brightness. However, as of July 23, the comet will get even closer to our planet (103 million kilometers) and It will be observable at sunset at magnitude 4. Thanks to this, we will be able to enjoy this event again which, as the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias points out, will not be repeated for another 6,800 years.
Among the rest of the astronomical events for the month of July, the Aquarid meteor shower stands out, which It will reach its maximum on the 29th. However, and given that the moment of maximum frequency of the Aquarids will coincide with the Moon almost at full moon, it will reduce their visibility. Looking ahead to July 17, the visit of the Perseids is expected, although it will not be until August 12 when we can see it in the sky.
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