A local skywatcher says there will be a real treat in the evening sky.

Ken McAllister of Steinbach is referring to comet Neowise, which he says was discovered by astronomers on March 27th.

According to McAllister, a comet is a large, icy rock that is orbiting the sun. Neowise has been getting closer and closer to earth. McAllister says earlier this month it was visible in the mornings, but right now it can be spotted at night.

If you can find the Big Dipper, McAllister says you should have little trouble catching a glimpse of comet Neowise. He notes it is located just below the bowl of the Big Dipper. If you use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper and then use that line to look down, McAllister says Neowise should be below the Big Dipper by about two times the distance between the pointer stars.

"To most people (it) will be a relatively dim star, it's a second magnitude star," explains McAllister. "It's about the same brightness as most of the stars in the Big Dipper itself."

With binoculars, McAllister says you should be able to see part of the comet's tail.

McAllister says Neowise is getting closer and closer to earth. It will be the closest on the evening of July 23rd. He notes that evening it will probably then also be the brightest. McAllister says for the best view you will want to get away from populated areas and find a dark sky.

Though it might be the brightest on July 23rd, McAllister says it might actually be the easiest to spot on July 24th. That is because on that night Neowise should be right below the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. He notes after this week the comet will be less easy to pick out.

Speaking of comets, the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower is coming up next month. This well known celestial event happens every August. McAllister says a meteor shower is the result of a destroyed comet.