Comet NEOWISE recently made headlines due to its visibility in the night sky during July 2020, becoming one of the brightest comets visible from Earth in over two decades. Many people around the world were able to observe and photograph the comet as it passed by our planet. Its striking appearance and accessibility to the naked eye sparked widespread interest and excitement among astronomers and the general public alike.
NEOWISE, officially designated C/2020 F3, was discovered by astronomers as part of the NEOWISE mission of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) space telescope on March 27, 2020. This long period comet follows a near-parabolic orbit and is named after the mission that detected it. The comet's close approach to the Sun led to its increased visibility in the night sky, captivating skywatchers with its bright nucleus and impressive tail. Comet NEOWISE's appearance provided a rare celestial spectacle for those who were able to witness its journey through the solar system.