Comet Neowise as seen from Jeffries Landing in Egg Harbor Township.
By Steve Jasiecki
Due to the popularity of a recent post about Comet Neowise, Sustainable Downbeach Chairman Steve Jasiecki send additional photos with instructions on how to find the comet in the night skys.
Photos from around the world show a bright comet Neowise with two long tails stretching across the sky while our opportunity in South Jersey is hindered with high humidity and cloud cover. However, with some luck and vigilance we still might get a chance to see the comet before it disappears for the next 6,800 years.
Find the Big Dipper.
To spot the comet you need a dark area of sky facing northwest. Look towards the horizon about an hour after sunset. When the stars start to appear look for the Big Dipper.
Once you spot the Big Dipper draw a line from two of the stars in the handle and the star at the bottom of the bowl. About two-thirds of the way towards the horizon start looking in that area. Since objects on the horizon are faint due to the remaining light from the setting sun, binoculars would be a big help.
Draw a line from two start in the handle.
As Neowise pulls away from the sun the comet will be moving higher in the sky and towards the left of the Dipper.
Hopefully, this should give you a good idea of where to look and help you spot the comet.
If you head out to a marshy area wear long sleeves and pants and bring bug spray and a hat as the mosquitos and greenheads are in abundance this time of year.
As Neowise moves away from the sun the comet will start to dim so get out as soon as the opportunity allows. Good luck and happy comet hunting.
