How, When And Where To See Comet Leonard: The Ultimate Guide To Seeing The ‘Christmas Comet’ In December And On Christmas Day

Have you seen C/2021 A1 (Leonard) —a.k.a. “Comet Leonard”—yet?

Discovered on January 3, 2021 by Greg Leonard, a senior research specialist at Arizona’s Mount Lemmon Observatory , Comet Leonard is potentially going to become an object visible to binocular and even naked eyes. It’s predicted to reach around magnitude 4 or brighter in December 2021 (for the latest, follow it on Twitter).

It will get closest to the Earth to be super-bright on December 12, 2021, but by then it’s going to be fairly low in the sky. So your best chance is to get up early—about 90 minutes before sunrise—during early December and look east.

Arm yourself with either a small telescope or any pair of binoculars to maximize your chances.

Here’s exactly when, where and how to see Comet Leonard along with some specific dates when it will be easiest to find:

How to find Comet Leonard using the Big Dipper and Arcturus. Star chart for the pre-dawn hour of ... [+]

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How to find Comet Leonard using the Big Dipper and Arcturus

Look east in early December and you’ll see Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation of Bootes, the Herdsman, and the fourth-brightest star visible from Earth.

A red giant star, Arcturus can be found in the night sky really easily by finding the Big Dipper/Plough, which is high in the night sky at this time of year as seen from the northern hemisphere. Find its tail of four stars and follow their curved trajectory by going “arc to Arcturus,” which is the first bright star you’ll come to. 

How to find Comet Leonard close to Arcturus. Star chart for the pre-dawn hour on December 6, 2021, ... [+]

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How to see Comet Leonard close to Arcturus

On the morning of Monday, 6 December, 2021, Comet Leonard will be less than 5º from Arcturus, which will make it relatively easy to find.

Scan the area of the sky just to the left-hand side of Arcturus and you’ll have a good chance of finding it—if it remains bright enough. Tuesday, December 7 could also a good time to look for it—just look slightly further from Arcturus. 

How to see Comet Leonard close to Venus. Star chart for the post-sunset hour of December 17, 2021, ... [+]

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How to see Comet Leonard close to Venus

After Sunday, December 12, Comet Leonard will switch to being an evening object and, sadly, its trajectory will mean it remains fairly close to the southwestern horizon just after sunset.

However, on Friday, December 17, 2021 there is a chance to see it just below Venus, though only those with a very low and clear horizon will stand much chance. 

How to see Comet Leonard on Christmas Day. Star chart for the post-sunset hour of December 25, 2021, ... [+]

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How to see Comet Leonard on Christmas Day with a parade of planets

Saturday, December 25 will see Comet Leonard due southwest right after sunset and about as high as it will get above the horizon—but it’s still not much. If you have a low, clear horizon it may be find-able.

Either way you’ll see bright Venus, Saturn and Jupiter—the current three kings of observable planets—so you’ll get a festive gift either way.

Comet Leonard will make its perihelion—its closest approach to the Sun—on January 3, 2022.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2021/11/23/how-when-and-where-to-see-comet-leonard-the-ultimate-guide-to-seeing-the-christmas-comet-in-december-and-on-christmas-day/?sh=2cb570ce1a81