Leonard: How and when the comet can be seen with the naked eye
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- BBC News World
Comet Leonard will soon give a unique salute to Earth.
The astro – baptized in some ways as the “Christmas Comet” – was only discovered in January of this year, when it was between Mars and Jupiter, and NASA scientists have already discovered the orbit toward the Sun.
The good news is Leonard Can be seen with the naked eye In Latin American countries. Of course, the weather must be optimal to admire Leonard Before dawn.
It will be in the middle December, Between 12 and 14, When it is very close to the earth, it can be appreciated in the best way.
However, scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact date on which it will deliver its greatest specialty Exhaust dust and gas Son UnpredictableS.
“Although it is very difficult to predict comets, according to some estimates, the comet Leonard will be visible to the naked eye in December,” NASA explains.
When and where can you see it?
Discovered a comet named C / 2021 A1 Gregory J. Leonard– hence its name – was initially seen as a “blurred spot” when it surpassed the orbit of Mars in early 2021.
Subsequent observations and analysis showed scientists that it was a comet with a long orbital period 80,000 years, Hence its origin close to the earth This is a show Exceptional.
On December 12, Leonard will be very close to Earth’s path, about 35 million kilometers away.
On that date, at dawn, Leonard would be seen with the naked eye almost anywhere in the world.
For the United States, the Northern Hemisphere will have the best perspective of its close approach to the planet. This means that it can be appreciated in North and Central American countries, as well as in the Caribbean East of the horizon.
In the second half of December, NASA explains that it will shift its position from north to south so that South American nations can see it closer to the western horizon from Earth.
Clear skies allow the comet’s tail to be blurred by the naked eye. But telescopes or telescopes make it easier to detect and monitor.
NASA filmed Leonard’s image a week ago, when he was already playing with green dust and gas and the characteristic cloud of “tail” dust in these space objects.
“The provided image was composed 62 Photos Taken with a medium-sized telescope: One set of emissions tracks the comet, another set tracks the background stars, “NASA explains.
After reaching Leonard the closest point to the sun in his orbit Returning to the depths of space On track for thousands of years.
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