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If you don't see Comet Neowise this week, you'll have to wait 6,800 years to catch it next time

Let us tell you how to maximize your chances of seeing the natural wonder from the United States.

Anna Rahmanan
Written by
Anna Rahmanan
Senior National News Editor
The Neowise Comet over the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA
Photograph: Shutterstock
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Comet Neowise—one of the brightest out there—is actually a frozen ball of ice that delighted early-morning celestial lovers a few weeks ago when blazing through the sky. This month, the beauty is visible right after sunset in the Northern Hemisphere as it hangs out among stars.

The comet was actually discovered by a NASA space telescope called NEOWISE (hence the name) on March 27 but is now visible by the naked eye if following a few instructions: find an area away from city lights that will guarantee an unobstructed view of the sky right after sunset and, if you have them, bring along binoculars.

According to NASA, "comet NEOWISE will likely look like a fuzzy star with a bit of a tail." Cool stuff indeed.

Folks in the United States can use this handy little tool on TheSkyLive.com to figure out when and how to catch a glimpse of the celestial event. If you're in Washington, D.C., for example, the site advises to look in the "East-North-East direction" to maximize your chances of seeing the spectacle. Are you in Miami or San Francisco? Look toward the North-East.

As a general statement, the beautiful comet shines brightest about 45 minutes after sunset. You can use this Farmer's Almanac to find out what precise time the sun sets in your local area. And if you happen to miss the occurrence, worry not, you'll just have to wait another 6,800 to catch it next time around.

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