How New Yorkers Can See the Once in a Lifetime Nishimura Comet
The Nishimura Comet, also known as Comet C/2023 P1 Nishimura, has an estimated orbital period of 435 years. What this means is that it's something that won't be seen again until the year 2458, making this your literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take it in.
In New York, time is running out to see Comet Nishimura in the pre-dawn hours before it moves closer to the sun. Once the Comet moves to the sun, it won't be visible anymore.
To catch a glimpse of this rare comet before it disappears for the next 400 years, you should wake up early and look towards the east-southeast sky before dawn. When you find the Leo constellation, you'll see the comet descending along the Lion's tail. By September 16, it will be rising alongside the sun.
If you have a stargazing app, it can help you pinpoint the comet's location and determine if you have a low enough horizon to spot it.
Amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura from Kakegawa City, Japan is credited for being the first person to spot the Comet Nishimura. For the last few weeks, astrophotographers and skywatchers have been watching the Nishimura Comet.
Keep in mind that time is of the essence to witness this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, so you'll want to look for the Comet Nishimura disappears for centuries.