Comet Neowise spotted in sky above Sheffield – here’s when to see it for final time tonight

The comet, also called C/2020 F3, was discovered on March 27, 2020, by the NASA space telescope called Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or NEOWISE for short.

It has been visible in the sky above the UK throughout this month, but it will not be visible again for thousands of years.

John Pasley was one of those fortunate enough to spot the phenomenon, capturing it on video above Highcliffe Allotments at around 1am on July 19.

He said: “My Comet Neowise video in real-time but rotated 90 degrees clockwise. It's very hard to see with the naked eye though now.

“Last weekend it was much brighter.”

Neowise is rare in that it survived a close encounter with the sun, passing at roughly the same distance as Mercury.

The comet is expected to make its closest approach to earth on Thursday, July 23, and will be about 64 million miles away – or about 400 times further away than the moon - after which it will plunge deeper into the solar system.

Although it has been visible throughout July, it is most visible around 80 minutes before sunrise, so shortly after 3.30am.

The Royal Astrological Society has given advice to anyone aiming to see the comet, with a diagram showing it just below the most famous constellation in the Northern Hemisphere, The Plough – also known as The Big Dipper.

It said: "To find the comet, make sure you have a clear northern horizon unobstructed by tall buildings, and ideally away from major sources of light pollution.

"If you have them, use a pair of binoculars to look for the bright haze of the comet, and the fainter tails.

"There are reports of people being able to see it with the naked eye under good conditions, but some optical aid will always improve the view."

Space.com advises holding a fist at arm’s length, explaining that the Comet Neowise will “appear about ‘one fist’ up from the north-east horizon.”

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