2020 July 5

C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)

Nick James

Updated with a new chart for August here: 2020f3_Aug.pdf.

We now have some very impressive images of C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) in the BAA archive here: 

https://britastro.org/cometobs/2020f3/thumbnails.html

This is a particularly nice one taken by Oscar Martin Mesonero on July 5 from Salamanca, Spain:

https://britastro.org/cometobs/2020f3/2020f3_20200705_0300_omesonero.html

The picture below was taken from Chelmsford on the morning of July 7. The comet is probably somewhere around first magnitude so definitely worth looking for despite the low altitude and bright sky. Here is a chart showing the comet’s position for the rest of July. At present (July 9) the comet is best in the morning sky. You will need a clear northern horizon to see it and good weather.

This is a rare opportunity to see a naked eye comet so set your alarms from 2am BST and get out to observe it! Best of luck. I look forward to receiving your observations. 

Disclaimer – If you don’t see it please don’t blame me for the lost sleep!

Nick James, Director Comet Section.