To see Comet Nishimura, follow these guidelines based on its 2023 visibility:
- Timing: The best time to observe the comet is in the early morning, about an hour before sunrise, during the first half of September 2023. It will be visible in the predawn eastern sky. Around September 12-13, it will be closest to Earth and brightest for Northern Hemisphere observers
- Direction: Look low toward the eastern horizon, near the constellations Cancer and Leo, and close to the planet Venus. The comet will appear roughly 8 degrees above the horizon, which is less than the width of your fist held at arm's length
- Visibility: The comet may be visible to the naked eye as a faint, fuzzy white glow but is easier to spot with binoculars or a small telescope. Its green color is mainly visible in photographs, not to the naked eye
- Location considerations: You need an unobstructed view of the horizon with a clear sky. The comet will become lower each morning and will disappear from Northern Hemisphere view after about September 13-16, 2023
- Southern Hemisphere: After its closest approach to the sun on September 18, if it survives solar radiation, it will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere in the western sky at dusk through the end of September
- Additional tips: Use a stargazing app or star charts to locate Leo and Venus to help find the comet. Photography with long exposures can capture the comet even if it's hard to see with the naked eye
In summary, to see Comet Nishimura, get up early in the first half of September 2023, find a clear eastern horizon view near Leo and Venus, and use binoculars or a telescope for the best chance of spotting this rare comet