How to see Comet Neowise streaking across the Toronto sky this weekend
TORONTO, ON., July 18, 2020 — Ontario summers are perfect for laying on docks or rocks while looking up at the night sky and counting the shooting stars. Now imagine seeing a shooting star whose brilliant tail streaks across the twinkling sky like the sweep of a paint brush. It is a dramatic unforgettable experience and that is sort of what you will see while the newly-discovered Comet Neowise is most visible in the GTA over the next several days.
Of course, urban light pollution will hinder the intensity of your viewing, so it is advised to head for darker skies or at the very least, away from the brightly lit areas. It goes without saying that large darker open areas are best for optimal display. It is also advised to take your binoculars.
Check out more incredible photos by Will Dunn at wdphotography.ca
What is a comet?
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process called outgassing. NASA says “Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock and dust that orbit the Sun. When frozen, they are the size of a small town. When a comet’s orbit brings it close to the Sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a giant glowing head larger than most planets.”
The dust and gases (outgassing) form a tail that stretches away from the Sun for millions of miles. And this is what can be seen by stargazers. NASA says there are likely billions of comets orbiting our Sun in the Kuiper Belt and even more distant Oort Cloud.
The comet was named after the NASA Neowise infrared telescope, which was used to discover it in March, according to the Associated Press. Its official name is Comet C/2020 F3 – but the easier-to-remember and catchier name is Comet NEOWISE.
Researchers say the comet is about 5 km across and it is extremely old. “Its nucleus is covered with sooty material dating back to the origin of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago,” according to the Associated Press.
Where to see Comet Neowise
Comet Neowise, the brightest comet to cross our skies in more than 25 years, is expected to be most visible (if the sky is cloudless) in the GTA at least until July 24th low in the sky, lower than the Big Dipper, and can be seen by looking to the northwestern horizon one hour after sunset and then to the northeast one hour before sunrise. Some say it may be visible until mid-August.
Stargazing advice is to look with a good pair of binoculars or even a telescope, below the ladle and slightly to the left of the Big Dipper this weekend moving progressively upwards and outwards each day until July 24.
To try to catch it before sunrise, you are advised to look to the northeast in the sky, about 10 degrees above the horizon. The best early-morning viewing time will be around 5 a.m
The comet is so popular it even has its own Twitter account. You can follow its journey through the social media app. Its description says, “I am your Great Comet! I am VISIBLE to the naked eye. Follow me for updates on my distance and my position.”
Scientists say the comet over the next 8 days will be at its closest to the GTA until 6,800 years from now, but that means it still will be about 105 million kilometres away.
