Photographer captures Comet Neowise passing over Wakefield

A photographer has captured the stunning moment a comet passed through the skies of Wakefield.
Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.
Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.

Chris White snapped the photos of Comet Neowise passing through the sky in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He said: "[The photos] were taken from Woolley Edge, just south of Wakefield, overlooking Hall Green.

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"Woolley Edge is quite high and the comet's quite low, so it was just the ideal night. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was really clear.

Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.
Chris White captured the stunning moment a Comet Neowise passed through the skies of Wakefield.

"There has been some lovely shots over various sites but I thought I'll just keep it small over Wakefield.

"It's the brightest comet really since Comet Hyakutake in the mid-90s. It's probably the brightest one that's naked eye visible."

First discovered by NASA earlier this year, Comet Neowise is passing the Earth at a distance of around 64 million miles, approximately 400 times further away than the Moon.

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It will be visible in the skies above the UK throughout July, and has captured international attention because it is visible with the naked eye, and does not require any specialist equipment.

An amateur photographer and keen astronomer, Chris had some top tips for anyone hoping to spot the comet themselves.

"Anywhere you can see North," he said. "Without any trees or buildings.

"It's quite low, so anywhere where there's trees or houses you probably won't see it until about 2.30am, when it's higher in the sky."

You can find out more about Comet Neowise, and when it can be seen, here.