If you are an observer of the night sky living in the northern hemisphere then you have probably been out to see the mesmerizing Comet NEOWISE already, but just in case you have not yet done so I would strongly recommend making arrangements to try, if it is at all possible.
The comet is now definitely visible to the naked eye during the hours after sunset, and much easier to see than when I wrote my earlier blog post about this newly-discovered space traveler on July 9th, eleven days ago.
At that time, the comet was visible in the dawn prior to sunrise and in the northeastern sky above the horizon, but now it is visible in the evening sky after sunset and in the northwestern sky, about halfway between the horizon and the lowest stars of the Big Dipper (depending upon your latitude). The higher in latitude you are (the further you are towards the North Pole), the higher above the horizon you will see both the Big Dipper and the comet. Of course, the horizon itself will depend on the terrain at your location and the relative position of your observing point compared to the terrain towards your north and west.
Above is a diagram I made showing the comet's general location relative to the Big Dipper for this evening, July 20, for an observer at about latitude 35 north. On successive nights, we are told that it will move slightly up and towards the left each night from its location in the above diagram, tracking along a path somewhat parallel to the lower edge of the Dipper's bowl.
The comet became visible to me at about 9:15 pm as I stared into the deepening twilight. As the light faded further and the sky grew darker and darker, the comet became even more visible and beautiful.
Comet NEOWISE is still most clearly seen with magnification such as binoculars or a telescope. However, it is now visible with the naked eye.
As the comet moves further away on its orbit, it will become dimmer and dimmer -- so astronomers are telling us that the next couple nights may be the best chances to see it before it moves out of sight.
I hope that you will have an opportunity to go outside and see it for yourself if at all possible.
