How To See the Neowise Comet in North Texas

Jul 21

Want to see the comet before it disappears for another 6800 years? Heres how we did it!

Step 1. Plan to drive North! Or South, or East, or West. Basically away from the metroplex (away from the city lights)

We live in Frisco, which is on the North side of the Metroplex. So we drove even farther north to Celina to view the comet with some friends.

You will want to hop on google maps to look for spots like public parks or if you have a friend that lives in the country that would be even better!

Step 2. Find the perfect spot. You will want to find a spot that has an un obstructed view of the North West sky. We found a soccer field, which works well because there are no trees in the field, there is well manicured grass that we could sit in, and let the kids run around while we waited for it to get dark.

Step 3. Follow local laws and park regulations. You should always be conscious or local / park regulations. You won’t want to be in a public place that closes before you get to see the “Star of the show”! (get it, star… comet… ok, bad dad joke. Sorry)

Step 4. Look at your weather app and download the compass app if you don’t already have it on your phone. Looking at the weather will be critical to seeing the comet. You will want to make sure you are able to view it on a clear night. Nothing worse than getting all set up just to have cloud cover or worse yet rain.

Step 5. Bring binoculars, spotting scope, telephoto lens, or a telescope. The comet it visible with the naked eye, but you will want to see it close up with some sort of magnification.

Pro tip: if you do bring a camera with a long lens, bring a tripod, and make sure you know how to use the manual settings on your camera in order to get some cool astrophotography shots!

Step 6. Enjoy it. This is an exciting thing to do with the family. It may not change your life forever, but enjoy it. Bring some snacks, drinks, and a lawn chair and enjoy the moment.

How to find the comet:

Where: Using your extensive Boy Scout skills like me (or using your compass app or star app) look to the North West for the Big Dipper. The big Dipper is probably the most recognizable formation of 7 stars in sky. It makes a vertical ladle shape and just below it you will find the Neowise Comet.

When: The sky starts getting dark enough to see the comet around 9:45pm, but after 10 pm was the best time for us to see it in the sky.