Looks like space was saving its best for last in 2021, as the arrival of the newly found comet Leonard will be one of the most visible this year.
The comet, discovered by Greg Leonard, a senior researcher at the University of Arizona, was first spotted at the Mount Lemmon Observatory just outside of Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 3.
Robert Lunsford with the American Meteor Society told USA TODAY the comet won't be the most spectacular one ever but will be "the brightest comet this year." With the help of binoculars and telescopes, people across the country can already begin to spot it in the sky, and it won't be long before people can view the comet with the naked eye for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Looks like space was saving its best for last in 2021, as the arrival of the newly found comet Leonard will be one of the most visible this year.
The comet, discovered by Greg Leonard, a senior researcher at the University of Arizona, was first spotted at the Mount Lemmon Observatory just outside of Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 3.
Robert Lunsford with the American Meteor Society told USA TODAY the comet won't be the most spectacular one ever but will be "the brightest comet this year." With the help of binoculars and telescopes, people across the country can already begin to spot it in the sky, and it won't be long before people can view the comet with the naked eye for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Unless you are living in Antarctica, Lunsford said anyone on the planet can view the comet right now. Through Dec. 13, the comet can be observed in the morning sky using binoculars or a telescope. On Dec. 12, it will be 21.7 million miles away from Earth, the closest it will get to the planet. If you are able to get away from light pollution, you'll have a better chance to see it.
"It's heading downward with each passing morning," Lunsford said. "You probably could catch some tail of the comet."
Masi pointed out the comet will appear next to the global cluster of stars, Messier 3, on Dec. 3. On Dec. 6, it will appear left of the star Arcturus, one of the brightest stars seen from Earth and a "bright, orange star you can't miss," according to Lunsford.
Beginning Dec. 14, the comet will be viewable in the night sky and for a few days, no instruments will be needed to see it. Lunsford said it will appear next to Venus, and viewers will notice the comet in between the horizon and Venus right after sunset on Dec. 17. In the early hours of Dec. 18, Leonard will be 2.6 million miles away from Venus.
It will fade away each day in the night sky, but people will be able to spot it, with instruments, all the way up to around Christmas.
You must be logged in to post a comment.