Skywatchers have been sharing photos online of a comet that has been brightening. Some people may be able to spot it before sunrise with binoculars—or, from very dark places, possibly even with just their eyes.
Comets are like icy, dusty snowballs from the outer parts of our solar system. As a comet travels closer to the Sun, sunlight warms it up and it starts releasing gas and dust. That makes a fuzzy cloud around it called a coma and can create a tail that stretches across the sky.
This comet appears low in the eastern sky, so you need a clear view of the horizon without tall buildings or mountains blocking your view. The biggest rule is safety: never look at or near the Sun, and never point binoculars anywhere near where the Sun will rise. If binoculars are used, an adult should handle and aim them.
It’s also smart to stop observing as the sky gets brighter, check your local sunrise time, and consider using a stargazing app to help you find the right area of the sky. If you do spot the comet, you’re seeing something that has been traveling through space for a very, very long time.
Comets are like icy, dusty snowballs from the outer parts of our solar system. As a comet travels closer to the Sun, sunlight warms it up and it starts releasing gas and dust. That makes a fuzzy cloud around it called a coma and can create a tail that stretches across the sky.
This comet appears low in the eastern sky, so you need a clear view of the horizon without tall buildings or mountains blocking your view. The biggest rule is safety: never look at or near the Sun, and never point binoculars anywhere near where the Sun will rise. If binoculars are used, an adult should handle and aim them.
It’s also smart to stop observing as the sky gets brighter, check your local sunrise time, and consider using a stargazing app to help you find the right area of the sky. If you do spot the comet, you’re seeing something that has been traveling through space for a very, very long time.