A rare comet, meteor showers and the ISS: what can be seen in the sky over the United States in the next month

If you feel trapped in four walls and looking for adventure, it is quite possible that you don't have to travel far. Over the next four weeks, you can see a comet in the sky over the United States, several meteor showers, and even the International Space Station. The Washington Post.

Comet Neowise in the sky over Utah. Photo: Shutterstock

For several days now, all the media have been writing about Neowise, a comet 3 miles (about 5 km) wide that adorns the evening sky. The comet will make its closest pass relative to Earth on Wednesday July 22nd, only 64 million miles (102 million kilometers) away. For a while, Neowise will be closer to us than the sun.

Neowise will continue to move away from Earth, disappearing from view in August - it will next appear in 6000 years. While the comet is visible, it can be seen on the northwestern horizon at night. Find the Big Dipper in the sky and follow your gaze down to the horizon. The comet will rise higher and higher in the sky each night.

Those who decide to try their luck in finding the comet should be patient and remember that the way it looks will be different from the photographs. It is best to drive away from the light pollution of settlements. If you are lucky, you will see a comet, somewhat reminiscent of a shining eraser.

beautiful night, took shots of #cometNEOWISE from my roof… alas I found the focus for my timelapse (and a few of my stills). Still pretty! pic.twitter.com/uBCB1JhBV6

- James Davenport, PhD (@jradavenport) July 19, 2020

Those venturing outside in search of Neowise might also be lucky enough to see the Delta Aquarid meteor shower. Delta aquariums occur sporadically in the second half of July and most of August, but the main spike in activity occurs on the night of July 29th. It is then that up to 20 shooting stars per hour can fly through the clear dark sky.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth moves through a dense stream of debris left over from a comet, asteroid, or other space object.

Fewer or more meteors may be seen depending on where you look. Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere will see shooting stars emanating from a "radiant" point on the southern side of the sky. This means that the most spectacular meteors with the longest tails will be best seen in the east and west.

On the subject: A bright comet flies over the Earth, which can be seen once every thousand years: a video report

A much more spectacular meteor shower - one of the most prolific of the year - will decorate the sky with bright shooting stars and even fireballs in mid-August. The Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 11th. Dozens of shooting stars can be visible in clear skies every hour.

Catch a falling star! The #Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend. This video shows where, when & how to watch. pic.twitter.com/jGpOmU9VFt

- NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) August 12

The Perseids fly across the sky at 37 miles per second (59,5 km per second). Their transparent tails can appear white, orange, yellow, pink, turquoise and even purple, lingering in the sky for a few seconds. The rainbow color spectrum comes from the burning of magnesium, sodium and iron.

The #Perseid Meteor Shower ☄️ will be at its' peak tonight through early Tuesday morning. So, be sure to find a low light pollution spot, look up at the sky, and enjoy the show! pic.twitter.com/DxSqGXJkuq

- Science Channel (@ScienceChannel) August 12

The only fly in the ointment? This year, the Perseids will compete with a particularly bright moon that could eclipse some faint meteors.

In the meantime, you can also keep an eye on the International Space Station, a science laboratory located 254 miles (409 km) above the Earth's surface. The International Space Station will sometimes be visible: it flies over our heads at a speed of about 5 miles per second (8 km per second).

On the subject: 'Sur Surprise!': The level of isolation of people on Earth frightened astronauts returning from the ISS

Time-lapse of #cometNEOWISE rising in Utah early this morning. The bright flash at about 16-17 seconds in is the International Space Station. #utwx pic.twitter.com/EWXUCbmzHR

- John Michaelson (@JMichaelsonUT) July 12, 2020

Viewing times and directions will vary depending on your location - details can be found at special ISS page.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Venus with a surprise: how quarantine 'affects' even a distant planet

People who do not exist: how digital models change our lives

Excursions, dancing, massage: 8 of the most unexpected airline services

An unforgettable sight: where and when you can see the northern lights

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.