‘Christmas comet’ to zip through evening sky, won't be back for 80,000 years
The coming nights will be the best chance to see comet Leonard, discovered earlier this year, and the comet may even be visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions.
By
Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Dec 16, 2021 1:45 PM EDT
|
Updated Dec 19, 2021 9:40 AM EDT
Looking for another way to celebrate the holidays this season? Head outside under the stars and catch comet Leonard, aka the “Christmas comet.” You have from now until Dec. 25 to see it!
The 2020 holiday season featured a 'Christmas star' when Jupiter and Saturn appeared extremely close and shined together, and this year, stargazers are in for another gift as the brightest comet of 2021 races through the evening sky.
Comet C/2021 A1, more commonly referred to as comet Leonard, was discovered earlier this year and made its closest approach to the Earth on Dec. 12. Before its approach, it was visible only in the early morning sky, but its journey has now made it more prominent in the evening sky, making it a target for backyard stargazers.
The 'Christmas comet' will appear in the evening sky throughout the rest of the year, but folks should look for it sooner rather than later as it will become dimmer and dimmer heading into the final days of December.
Comet Leonard is not expected to be a repeat of comet NEOWISE, which impressed stargazers last year on its journey through the inner solar system.
"Based on how bright comet Leonard has been appearing recently, it looks like it will not be as bright as last year's comet NEOWISE," said Gordon Johnston, a Program Executive at NASA Headquarters.
"This comet should be visible with a backyard telescope or binoculars and may be visible to the naked eye under very clear and dark observing conditions," Johnston said.
Even with the help of a telescope or binoculars, it will look like a fuzzy green star with a small tail.
Venus will be a guide for spotting the comet as it will appear to the left of the bright planet through Christmas.
"Viewers will need a clear view of the horizon, as the comet will only be a few degrees above the horizon as evening twilight ends," Johnston said.
The green track shows where Comet Leonard will appear in the sky through Dec. 25, 2021. (NASA)
The coming nights will be the only chance to see comet Leonard as it will not swing past the Earth again for another 80,000 years.
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After comet Leonard fades into the depths of the solar system, it is difficult to say for sure when another comet will emerge from the darkness and become bright enough to see with the naked eye.
The University of Hawai'i discovered comet C/2021 O3 (PANSTARRS) earlier this year and predicts that it could be bright enough to see without the help of a telescope or binoculars in late April or early May of 2022, but it is difficult to say for certain.
"Comets are notoriously difficult to predict in terms of brightness and visibility," NASA explained. "With comets, you really never know."
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For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
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News / Astronomy
‘Christmas comet’ to zip through evening sky, won't be back for 80,000 years
The coming nights will be the best chance to see comet Leonard, discovered earlier this year, and the comet may even be visible to the naked eye under ideal conditions.
By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Dec 16, 2021 1:45 PM EDT | Updated Dec 19, 2021 9:40 AM EDT
Looking for another way to celebrate the holidays this season? Head outside under the stars and catch comet Leonard, aka the “Christmas comet.” You have from now until Dec. 25 to see it!
The 2020 holiday season featured a 'Christmas star' when Jupiter and Saturn appeared extremely close and shined together, and this year, stargazers are in for another gift as the brightest comet of 2021 races through the evening sky.
Comet C/2021 A1, more commonly referred to as comet Leonard, was discovered earlier this year and made its closest approach to the Earth on Dec. 12. Before its approach, it was visible only in the early morning sky, but its journey has now made it more prominent in the evening sky, making it a target for backyard stargazers.
The 'Christmas comet' will appear in the evening sky throughout the rest of the year, but folks should look for it sooner rather than later as it will become dimmer and dimmer heading into the final days of December.
Comet Leonard seen with the help of a telescope on Nov. 28, 2021. (University of Hertfordshire Observatory)
Comet Leonard is not expected to be a repeat of comet NEOWISE, which impressed stargazers last year on its journey through the inner solar system.
"Based on how bright comet Leonard has been appearing recently, it looks like it will not be as bright as last year's comet NEOWISE," said Gordon Johnston, a Program Executive at NASA Headquarters.
"This comet should be visible with a backyard telescope or binoculars and may be visible to the naked eye under very clear and dark observing conditions," Johnston said.
Even with the help of a telescope or binoculars, it will look like a fuzzy green star with a small tail.
Venus will be a guide for spotting the comet as it will appear to the left of the bright planet through Christmas.
"Viewers will need a clear view of the horizon, as the comet will only be a few degrees above the horizon as evening twilight ends," Johnston said.
The green track shows where Comet Leonard will appear in the sky through Dec. 25, 2021. (NASA)
The coming nights will be the only chance to see comet Leonard as it will not swing past the Earth again for another 80,000 years.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
After comet Leonard fades into the depths of the solar system, it is difficult to say for sure when another comet will emerge from the darkness and become bright enough to see with the naked eye.
The University of Hawai'i discovered comet C/2021 O3 (PANSTARRS) earlier this year and predicts that it could be bright enough to see without the help of a telescope or binoculars in late April or early May of 2022, but it is difficult to say for certain.
"Comets are notoriously difficult to predict in terms of brightness and visibility," NASA explained. "With comets, you really never know."
More Space and Astronomy:
For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
Report a Typo