NEWS: Rare Comet Visible in Northern Hemisphere for Limited Time
SAN FRANCISCO — A fast-moving comet discovered by Japanese amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura will be visible in the predawn skies of the Northern Hemisphere for a brief period of time. The comet’s closest approach to Earth occurred on September 12, and it is now making its way towards the sun.
Reaching its perihelion on September 17, the comet will be at a distance of 78 million miles from Earth, making it challenging to spot but rewarding for avid stargazers. The best opportunity to see the comet will be during the 90 minutes before sunrise on Monday morning.
To locate the comet, sky charts are available on websites such as skyandtelescope.com or astronomy.com. It is important to be in an area with clear skies, an unobstructed view to the east-northeast, and away from city lights before the colors of dawn brighten the sky. Although being away from city lights is not necessary, using binoculars may aid in spotting the comet. If observed, a greenish glow indicates its carbon signature.
After its close encounter with the sun, the comet will only be visible from the Southern Hemisphere later in the month. Therefore, observers in the Northern Hemisphere are encouraged to take this opportunity to witness the comet before it disappears.
If you happen to be in the Bay Area with clear skies and away from city lights, make sure to invite others to join you in the viewing experience. Don’t miss this rare opportunity, or you’ll have to wait until the comet’s next appearance around 2458.
By Brian Hackney, CBS News contributor and Emmy award-winning journalist.