Dramatic images of Comet NEOWISE -- also known as Comet C/2000 F3, or by its Chinese name of Xinzhi Comet -- were successfully photographed on July 21 from Donghai Avenue in downtown Quanzhou city, in East China's Fujian province.

Comet NEOWISE soars through the sky over Donghai Avenue in downtown Quanzhou on July 21. [Photo/qzwb.com]

Since Comet Hale-Bopp appeared in 1997, there has been no easy observation of a large comet in the northern hemisphere for 23 years.

Later this month, if the weather conditions are good, people in areas with less light pollution are expected to observe Comet NEOWISE with binoculars at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizon of the northwest sky.

Astronomers said that with excellent visibility, such as from the top of a dark mountain far from the urban light, it can be seen with the naked eye.

According to research by experts, the nucleus of Comet NEOWISE could be as much as 5 kilometers in diameter and its orbital period is very long. It is estimated that it will be 4,000 years before it returns.