Comet NEOWISE and Comet Encke Plunging Toward the Sun for a Close Encounter

COMET NEOWISE IS APPROACHING THE SUN: Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) is plunging toward the sun for a close encounter near the orbit of Mercury on July 3rd. The comet has just entered the field of view of SOHO's C3 coronagraph, which, for the next week, will monitor how the comet reacts to the sun's intensifying heat. Astronomers expect the comet to increase in brightness, reaching peak magnitude by July when it could potentially be visible with the naked eye. The comet will be visible very low in the northeast near the sunrise position, before dawn for several weeks centered on July 6. Comet 2P/Encke Comet Encke is approaching the Sun for its close encounter on June 25, 2020. Comet Encke has the shortest orbital period of any known comet within our solar system. It takes 3.30 years for Enke to orbit the Sun once. Its nucleus measures approximately 2.98 miles (4.8 kilometers) in diameter. Encke last reached perihelion (closest approach to the sun) in 2017. At the time, you need binoculars to catch the comet at the evening. Comet Encke may brighten to 6th magnitude for southern-hemisphere observers in July. Stay Tuned!



https://youtu.be/pBIEu62TUCo