Comet Lemmon within view from our area
Get your binoculars ready for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
A recently discovered celestial object will be racing its way through our night skies very soon. Comet Lemmon was discovered earlier this year and will be moving through the inner portions of our Solar System through the rest of the month. It will be approaching the Earth this weekend and its pass will be at its nearest point to Earth Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.
As the comet continues to race closer to the Sun, where it eventually rounds our star, it will become more visible to the unaided eye. The comet will best be seen in the lower northwest sky, just after sunset this coming Monday and Tuesday around 7:40 p.m. But if you can't wait for Monday and Tuesday evening and are more of more of an "early riser," then make sure you are out viewing the northeast sky around 5:35 a.m.
In both instances, look for the Big Dipper, that group of well-known stars that is a part of the constellation Ursa Major, to find Comet Lemmon.
For Saturday and Sunday morning, while looking towards the northeast sky, the comet will be visible due south of the lower portion of "the pan" of the Big Dipper.
For Monday and Tuesday evening, look due west of the western side of the Big Dipper. It will be easier to view by using a pair of binoculars.
