July 14 Night Sky Show: Comet NEOWISE and ISS Flyover

July 14 2020

We are in for a rare double treat across this evening across the Mi Atlantic. Comet NEOWISE has shifted to the night sky for our viewing. This is just the beginning, and it will continue to rise higher and brighter for the next 10 days.  The western sky will be shared briefly by The International Space Station (ISS) flyover.  Yes, you may be able to see them at the same time just after 10 PM. See the viewing tips below.

 

What you might see (flipped)

This is not the first time ISS and Comet NEOWISE has shared the sky. In fact Larry Konski snapped this photo of the comet on Sunday in Fork, MD. What he thought was a shooting star appears to have been the ISS.

This time the comet will be seen in the night sky, and the ISS will be arriving from the southwest.  So facing west, ISS would be on the left and the comet should be seen on the right.

 

Video of Comet NEOWISE Rising over Earth from ISS

This amazing scene shows Comet NEOWISE rising over Earth’s horizon.

You may want to skip to 3:14 for the first look at the comet.

 

Comet NEOWISE Viewing Tips

This comet was just discovered in late March. It will not be seen from Earth again fro another 6,800 years.

You may start to see it by 9 PM.

Best viewing will be 1 hour AFTER sunset (9:30 PM) 

ISS will arrive just after 10 PM. To see them at the same time, you will need to have an unobstructed view of the NW sky. If you know where the sun sets, you should see it to the right of that location. Hold your are out in front of you, and it should be about 1 fist high.

 

July 22: Comet NEOWISE will be 64 million miles from Earth, the closest approach.

July 25: Comet NEOWISE will be 30º above the horizon, equal to 3 fists high.

 

ISS Viewing Tips Tonight

This will be one of the longest flyovers possible!

Our view of the ISS flyover this will last 8 minutes and 43 seconds  with peak at 10:04 PM.

The track will start from the northwest sky. Find where the sun set and look just a little to the right (north).

• 10:01:03 PM = First View
• Look in the region where the sun sets.
• 10:04:46 PM = Peak 
• 10:10:03 PM = Last View
• ISS will pass nearly directly overhead.  Given the long path, you will need to be able to swivel or pivot so you can catch the whole show.

The International Space Station will appear like a fast moving plane with a very bright steady light, but no blinking lights.

Weather: Mostly clear and warm in the 70s.

Space Station Flyover Map

I’ve plotted this with track passing pretty much over Ocean City and the Delaware beaches.

 

Please share your thoughts, best weather pics/video, or just keep in touch via social media

• Facebook: Justin Berk, Meteorologist

• Twitter: @JustinWeather

• Instagram: justinweather