NEOWISE comet visible over Delmarva for coming weeks

DELMARVA – During the month of July, people living in the Northern Hemisphere are being treated to a very special sight. The NEOWISE comet is making its way across the earth’s skies. “It’s only going to get brighter because as we move into the evening sky, it’s going to get higher and higher and higher each evening as it moves toward the Big Dipper,” said NASA Solar System Ambassador and Sussex Central High School science teacher Charles Fulco.

Fulco tells 47ABC this could be the only the chance in our lifetimes that we get to see it. “This one is it for us. So, one and done in our lifetimes,” said Fulco.

According to Fulco, you should be able to find the comet if you look towards the Big Dipper. “You’ll see it gradually get higher each night, and it will gradually fade away. Toward the end of July, you’ll have to be using binoculars and telescopes,” said Fulco.

The comet will remain visible for the next couple of weeks. But Fulco says the coming days will be the best opportunities to catch this other-worldly sight. “The comet’s visible right now in the morning sky. This morning obviously not so much because of the storm, but on the road this week I was in Michigan and Ohio with my girlfriend, and we both saw it earlier this week,” said Fulco.

47ABC meteorologist Ulises Garcia says that viewing conditions will probably be best once Tropical Storm Fay moves out of the Delmarva area. “As we head into Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday morning – we’re actually going to be in for clear skies. So really perfect viewing conditions,” said Ulises.

Ulises says clouds will roll in late Sunday night, but the next few days should be clear – and perfect for spotting the comet. “Really none of those thick clouds – those lower clouds – that would really mess up those perfect viewing conditions when it comes to those astronomical events – especially when it comes to a comet,” said Ulises.

Fulco says that the last time humans got to see such a sight was the Hale-Bop comet back in 1997. “This probably won’t be as bright as Hale-Bop. But it’s so different looking because it actually looks like a hairy star. It looks like something that you don’t normally see in the sky,” said Fulco.

Fulco tells 47ABC that we might not see another comet like this for another 6,500 years. So, he says its an opportunity to come together with others and forget the troubles of the world – even if just for a moment. “I think this is just a really nice break from the troubles we’ve been having on the ground with the Coronavirus. It’s kind of nice to have a little celestial interlude,” said Fulco.

Fulco says plans on hosting comet watches for small groups – which will be socially distanced and will require people to wear masks. If you’d like to know when the next comet watch is, you can visit his Facebook page.