The Comet SWAN 2020 Will Be Visible With The Naked Eye From Nebraska

Nebraska is one of the best places in the country to gaze up at the night sky. We’ve got so many accessible places far away from tall buildings and light pollution – not to mention a lack of trees or mountains to block our views – that people actually come from other states just to stargaze here. If you’re looking toward the sky this month, be sure to keep an eye out for a comet that’s set to be so bright, you’ll be able to see it without any special equipment.

The comet's scientific name is Comet C/2020 F8 SWAN. It was discovered in late March of 2020 and is rapidly becoming more visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

As SWAN rapidly approaches, its distinctive green color has been catching the eye of Southern Hemisphere viewers. This week, people in the Southern US will get the first looks before the comet is visible to us in Nebraska.

Your best chance of seeing the comet will come by looking toward the eastern horizon 90 minutes to two hours before sunrise between May 13th and May 21st.

You'll also get a chance to see the comet as it moves from the constellation Perseus into Auriga on May 23rd around dusk.

To optimize your comet-viewing experience, find a place as far away from light pollution as possible. Arrive early and give your eyes at least 30 minutes with no light (including the light from your phone) so they can get used to seeing in the dark. You may want to use binoculars to find the comet at first, but it will be visible without them.

Get up-to-the-minute information on Comet C-2020 F8 SWAN’s location from The Sky Live. Are you planning to go see this beautiful space show this month? Tell us about your favorite stargazing spot in the comments section.

Once our state health mandate is lifted, you can visit an old observatory that once helped budding astronomers gaze at the stars. Read about the Boswell Observatory here.

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Nebraska, USA

Look To The Night Sky And Catch The Beautiful Comet SWAN Over Nebraska, Completely Visible To The Naked Eye

Delana Lefevers

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