A New Comet Soars! How Can You See It?

Comet Nishimura,Aug. 19, 2023 (Photo – Dan Bartlett)

Comet Nishimura, discovered just weeks ago by amateur astronomer, Hideo Nishimura, will pass close enough to earth to be seen on Sept. 12, 2023.

By Briony James

The comet, which emerged to become visible by telescope on Aug. 23, will be at its perihelion, the point in its elliptical orbit closest to the sun, on the 18th of Sept.

It will be visible from earth in the early hours, low on the eastern horizon in our Northern Hemisphere, as it soars towards the sun. It will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere low in the western sky if it does not burn up during its circle around the sun. The comet itself is green, due to diatomic carbon molecules created by sunlight reacting with organic matter, but its long tail is white.

While binoculars or a telescope are optimal for viewing, Comet Nishimura will be visible to the naked eye, making it a good reason to get up early on Sept. 12!