Comet Neowise spotted over Odiongan, Romblon

The comet Neowise was photographed on Monday evening over the town of Odiongan, Romblon province.

The photograph was taken with a smartphone by Leogiver Mañosca, a teacher based in Odiongan, who is also the current vice president of the Philippine Astronomical Society.

Mañosca has been on comet-watch for almost a week. The comet will not be seen again until after 7,000 years.

"Nagawa kong makita ito! Ako ay tulad ng isang bata na tumatalon sa labis na pagkasabik nang ipakita ng kometa ang malabo nitong core at mahabang buntot. Nakakatuwa dahil naging saksi ako sa mahabang paglalakbay ng kometa na ito sa paligid ng araw," he told GMA News.

According to information posted on the NASA website, Comet Neowise has a nucleus measuring roughly 5 kilometers in diameter, and its dust and ion tails stretch hundreds of thousands to millions of kilometers while pointing away from the Sun.

The icy visitor was discovered on March 27, 2020, by NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) spacecraft as the comet was headed toward the Sun.

The comet made its closest approach to the Sun on July 3, and then turned back toward the outer solar system.

Comets are made of frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system roughly 4.6 billion years ago.

The masses of dust, rock, and ice heat up when approaching the Sun; as they get closer, they spew gases and dust into a glowing head and tail. Satellite data indicate the Neowise has a dust tail and possibly two ionized gas tails. The comet is made visible by sunlight reflecting off of its gas emissions and dust tail.

Mañosca's advise to skywatchers to be on the lookout around sunset as it moves away from the sun.

NASA also posted that Neowise is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on July 22, passing at a harmless distance of 103 million kilometers.

Viewers can spot the comet after sunset from mid-July onwards just below the Big Dipper in the northwest sky.

For best viewing, make sure to find a spot away from city lights and with a clear view of the sky. While you may be able to see it with your naked eye, you might want to bring binoculars or a small telescope. -- BAP, GMA News