Look up, Springfield: Giant comet closest to Earth tonight

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Tonight, the brightest comet currently visible in the night sky will be 3 million years away from Earth at its closest point

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individuals in Southwest Missouri will be able to see it without special equipment.

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The comet is known as Comet C/2017 K2 (abbreviated K2) and is currently entering the solar system for the first time.

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K2, which has a diameter of roughly 12 miles, will be seen with a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope..

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if the sky is clear since it is travelling along a route that will bring it 170 million miles near to Earth

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Despite the rather unimpressive perspective, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that may be of interest to those with their minds set on the stars.

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In southwest Missouri, at night, the comet will pass directly overhead, according to Morrison.

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However, because the moon is currently just past a full moon, it will be fairly bright in the night sky once the moon has risen, making it more difficult to detect the comet later in the night.

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About 9:57 p.m. tonight, the moon will rise. The Ophiuchus constellation, which will be in the southern sky for Missouri tonight, is a good place to search for K2.

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Even though the comet will be at its closest tonight, it should still be visible with a modest telescope through the month of August

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If they are unable to see it tonight, they can try again when the moon is less full.

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