Media Release

Udupi, Jul 15: The Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE will be visible to the naked eye just after sunset in the coming week. Appearing along with the comet, on the opposite side of the horizon, towards the east, planets, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible coming 30 crore km closer to earth as they are both simultaneously at their opposition.

Discovered recently, NEOWISE approached its closest approach to the sun on July 3 and will continue in its orbit, passing by earth at the closest distance (103000000km) on July 23 and is expected to remain visible until the 25th of this month.

Most comets originate from what we call Oort cloud which exists at the boundary of our solar system located at 15000 crore kilometre from our sun. Oort cloud is said to be a sphere of icy rocks and particles forming the boundary of the solar system. Occasionally our sun’s gravity pulls some of these rocks away from this cloud making them approach the inner parts of our solar system and approach the sun in an orbit that allows them to pass by earth, for us to view their magnificence.

Spanning 5km in diameter, as comet NEOWISE approaches the sun, the icy rock begins to melt slowly leaving behind a long sparkling tail made up of small particles, which can be as large as one lakh km in length. This is what makes the comet a beautiful sight to watch. Like the comet Haley-Bopp in 1997, comet NEOWISE has developed two tails as it approached close to the sun.

Along with the comet in our solar system, we have the giant planet Jupiter orbiting the sun at 74 crore km radius (average). As earth moves around the sun, we come in between the sun and Jupiter at a point we call the Opposition of Jupiter. This is the point where Jupiter entirely faces the sun from our point of view. So as the sun sets in the west, Jupiter rises from the east shining bright as the distance between the earth and Jupiter is reduced by 30 crore km. Jupiter being at 59 crore km from earth at opposition, moves away from us and after six months, would be the farthest at 89 crore km from us.

This week would be the best time for everyone to observe the giant planet when it is the closest and brightest to us. One can also observe four moons of Jupiter while viewing through binoculars.

Also rising behind Jupiter, is the planet Saturn which at a distance of 140 crore km from the sun, is also at opposition (July 21) reducing the distance from 165 crore km from six months ago to 125 crore km this week.

Both Jupiter and Saturn are at opposition together, and will rise at sunset and remain in our night skies for all to view and enjoy.

PAAC urges all to view the comet appearing in the west at sunset just below the Big Dipper (Saptarishi Mandala) in the skies and the opposition of both the giant planets of our solar system rising (just a few minutes apart) and shining brightly from the east just after sunset.