Brightest Comet of 2021, Its Closest Position to Earth

If you got yourself a telescope out of your interest in galaxies, planets, stars, meteorites and comets, today could be your lucky day. Because the brightest comet of the year will be at its closest position to Earth from tonight.

First discovered by Gregory J. Leonard in January 2021, the comet was officially recorded as “Comet C/2021 A1”. Comet Leonard will pass 34 million kilometers from Earth tonight. Although this distance is considered “tiny” in space terms, according to the information received from experts, it will not be possible to see the comet with the naked eye for now.

It happens once every 80,000 years:

One of the elements that makes Leonard’s Comet special is the time it takes to complete its orbit around the Sun. The comet, which completed its orbit in 80,000 years, will be visible with telescopes tonight. It is not certain when this impressive event can be observed with the naked eye. The comet is expected to reach its brightest on December 13 and 14. This may be a beacon of hope so that it can be seen with the naked eye.

It should also be underlined that Comet Leonard, which will pass near our Earth, does not pose any threat to our planet. It is worth noting that comets are not ‘stars’ for those who are just starting their research on space. Comets are remnants of dust, rock, and ice from the times when the solar system was formed. Comets, ranging in size from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers, leave their gas and dust behind as they approach the Sun. This creates what is called the ‘tail’.