New Comet Leonard Visible in December Sky

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Earlier this year astronomer, Gregory Leonard, discovered a new comet. The Comet Leonard, also known as C/2021 is already visible in the December sky. And will be at its closest point to Earth on December 12th.

The online publication EarthSky describes the Comet Leonard  as “likely to be 2021’s best comet and its brightest comet by year’s end.”

Stargazers in the US were disappointed by the December 4th total solar eclipse. It was only fully visible in Antarctica. And people in the southern tip of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand were able to see partial phases of the event.

Viewing Comet Leonard

To view C/2021 you will probably need a telescope. At its nearest point to the Earth, it is still 21 million miles away.

“Comets are notoriously difficult to predict in terms of brightness and visibility,” NASA reports. 

“Comet Leonard is predicted to peak at a brightness that will probably require binoculars to spot it. There’s a chance it could be bright enough to see with the unaided eye, but again, with comets, you really never know.”