A comet is predicted to fly beyond Earth next week for the duration of its adventure through our Solar System closer to the Sun.
The comet, named Leonard after the astronomer Gregory Leonard, who found it 12 months ago, is in all likelihood to be vibrant whilst it makes its closest route to Earth on December 12.
In reality, the comet remains seen in the sky in the east, before dawn. Stargazers can spot it among the Big Dipper’s of Arcturus, one of the brightest stars visible from Earth.
NASA says the comet, also called C/2021 A1, will appear brighter because it nears Earth’s horizon in the course of its flyby. This will make it hard for stargazers to view it.
However, after the close encounter on December 12, the comet might be seen within the night sky, specially right after sundown, around December 14.
Despite being one of the brightest comets to bypass Earth, it will likely be complex to view without a telescope or other such gear. Also, Leonard will start acting much less vibrant because of its movements faraway from us.
EarthSky says Leonard is presently heading towards its perihelion — that is the nearest point to the Sun. It will reach there on January 3 next year, that means the comet will be at the closest point from the centre of the sun system on this day.
Comets are commonly brightest around perihelion.Even whilst the comet is closest to Earth, it might no longer be mainly close. On December 12, Leonard can be 34 million kilometres faraway from us.
At its perihelion on January 3, it’ll be at a distance of approximately 90 million kilometres from the Sun.
