Comet is rare treat for stargazers

STARGAZING residents were treated on Saturday night with the ‘once in a lifetime’ sighting of a comet that only passes by the Earth once every 6,800 years.

Comet Neowise - or C/2020 F3 - had already been spotted in other areas around the UK throughout July before making its way to Rochdale and is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Despite its brightnesss, astronomers had warned that it could still be challenging to spot thanks to its low altitude and the long daylight hours of summer.

It was also predicted not to climb very high in the sky - meaning it could be obscured by trees, hills and buildings from many people’s vantage points.

However the passing comet put on a spectacular show for residents waiting to see it pass, and was clearly captured on camera by a number of stargazers.

Neowise was only discovered in March by NASA and its appearances across the Northern Hemisphere newly mark the first voyage of a comet through the inner solar system in 2020.

It has been seen getting brighter and brighter in the early morning sky throughout July and stargazers and astronomers had been waiting for it to make an appearance in the evening after sunset.

NASA chiefs had previously spoken of their hopes the comet would ‘put on a good show’ as it moved closer to the Sun. Comet Neowise’s closest approach is due to come on July 23, which means residents will hopefully be provided with more chances throughout the month to spot it.