The comet is visible in this photo taken by Warsaw resident Paul Schue.

Staff Report

WARSAW — Warsaw resident Paul Schue captured photographs of Comet NEOWISE, which made its closest approach to the sun on July 3.

The comet is named after NASA’s “Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, which discovered the comet in March.

Schue is the co-founder of the Warsaw Astronomical Society, formed in 1980. 

Paul Schue of Warsaw is the co-founder of the Warsaw Astronomical Society. Photo provided.

According to Schue, the comet is traveling around 40 miles per/second or 144,000 mph. With a clear northwestern horizon, the comet is visible after sunset. 

Binoculars would be helpful to anyone interested in seeing the comet, which should be visible throughout the remainder of July. 

The comet is not expected to return for another 6,800 years.

Schue took photos of the comet using a Canon EOS digital camera stationed on a tripod. 

“My interest in astronomy began in first grade and has continued all my life,” Schue said. “Astronomy is a pure science and the celestial objects still to this day amaze and fascinate me. I see God’s handiwork in it all.” 

In the fall of 1980, Schue, along with Alan Mitterling of Warsaw and Jim Tague of Winona Lake, started the Warsaw Astronomical Society. Forty years later, the group still has an active membership with regular meetings. 

The group welcomes visitors as well as new members to the club. 

The Warsaw Astronomical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Warsaw City Hall building.

Warsaw resident Paul Schue took this photo of the comet using a Canon EOS digital camera stationed on a tripod.