A NEWLY discovered comet which has been delighting stargazers this month is set to make its closest approach to earth tonight.
But people are being urged to catch the comet while they can as, after a succession of appearances throughout July, it is not due to visit the solar system for another 6,800 years.
The existence of the comet was only confirmed earlier this year when it was discovered by, and named after, Nasa's spacecraft Neowise.
Emily Kramer of the Neowise science team said: "The fact that we can see it is really what makes it unique.
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— NASA (@NASA) July 15, 2020
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"It's quite rare for a comet to be bright enough that we can see it with the naked eye or even with just binoculars.
"The last time we had a comet this bright was Comet Hale-Bopp back in 1995 and 1996."
With the comet set to be making its closest approach to earth tonight, it will be at its brightest and is likely to be visible to the naked eye.
The Royal Astronomical Society has given advice to anyone aiming to see the comet, with a diagram showing it just below the Big Dipper constellation at this time of the month.
It will be visible after sunset.
The society stated: "To find the comet, make sure you have a clear northern horizon unobstructed by tall buildings, and ideally away from major sources of light pollution.
"If you have them, use a pair of binoculars to look for the bright haze of the comet, and the fainter tails.
"There are reports of people being able to see it with the naked eye under good conditions, but some optical aid will always improve the view."
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What is your response?Left hand picture was taken on the dunstable downs on the 21st July. The right pic from my loft skylight Kingswood watford on the 19th July.
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Left hand picture was taken on the dunstable downs on the 21st July. The right pic from my loft skylight Kingswood watford on the 19th July. 
Left hand picture was taken on the dunstable downs on the 21st July. The right pic from my loft skylight Kingswood watford on the 19th July. What is your response?Comet Neowise, ( just bellow Big Dipper and to the right ) Monday 20th 00:28 AM above our canvas tent while Camping in Pembrokeshire Wales
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Comet Neowise, ( just bellow Big Dipper and to the right ) Monday 20th 00:28 AM above our canvas tent while Camping in Pembrokeshire Wales What is your response?Comet Neowise taken over North Chailey. E.Sussex
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Comet Neowise taken over North Chailey. E.Sussex 
Comet Neowise taken over North Chailey. E.Sussex What is your response?Neowise at abberton reservoir
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Neowise at abberton reservoir What is your response?Comet Neowise over steyning
What is your response?Comet Neowise over steyning
What is your response?Taken near Foredown Tower, Portslade. Midnight 23rd July.
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Taken near Foredown Tower, Portslade. Midnight 23rd July. What is your response?Comet NEOWISE over Abberton Reservoir looking towards Colchester at 3:20AM on 11th July 2020. To the left is a display of noctilucent clouds, which are ice crystals in the Mesosphere (50 miles up) illuminated by the Sun which is just below the horizon all night at this time of year. Ian Lauwerys, North Essex Astronomical Society.
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Comet NEOWISE over Abberton Reservoir looking towards Colchester at 3:20AM on 11th July 2020. To the left is a display of noctilucent clouds, which are ice crystals in the Mesosphere (50 miles up) illuminated by the Sun which is just below the horizon all night at this time of year. Ian Lauwerys, North Essex Astronomical Society. What is your response?Comet Neowise seen from Beachy Head, Eastbourne
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Comet Neowise seen from Beachy Head, Eastbourne What is your response?Taken at Ditchling Beacon
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Taken at Ditchling Beacon
The society also explained that comets are "icy rocky bodies, typically mountain-sized, that spend most of their time far from the sun".
"Neowise was last in the inner solar system 4,500 years ago and its present passage through the inner solar system has changed its orbit, so it will not return for another 68 centuries," a spokesman said.
Several Sussex residents have been already been able to spot the comet.
Danny Higham snapped some stunning shots of Comet Neowise above Henfield and Nabeel Nilamdeen photographed it over Ditchling Beacon (above) earlier this month.
Nabeel said: "I was quite thrilled with how the photo came out and had to share it.
"It is also to create awareness for people to go out and get a glimpse of this amazing celestial object that will not return back for another 6,800 years."
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