Closest to Earth in December! See “Mysterious Comet” for the first time in 70,000 years

Wang Jieqiu Comprehensive Report / Tainan City

It is only possible to see it once in 70,000 years, and the brightest comet of the year is coming soon! Tainan Nanying Planetarium posted on Facebook yesterday (3) that the comet “C/2021 A1 (Leonard)” is approaching the earth. It was seen by small binoculars, and the Nanying Planetarium also photographed this mysterious comet for astronomy fans to appreciate it first.

“C/2021 A1” takes 70,000 years to circle the sun 12/13 is the closest to the earth!

Nanying Planetarium stated that “C/2021 A1” was the first comet discovered by the astronomical community this year. On January 3 this year, it was hosted by American astronomer Gregory Leonard in Arizona, USA. Discovered at Mt. Lemmon Sky Center Observatory.

At present, the brightness of “C/2021 A1” is about 7 to 8. It is moving from the constellation Canis to the constellation of Shepherds, and can be photographed with a large telescope in the early morning before sunrise. However, “C/2021 A1” will be the closest to the earth on December 13, and it is estimated that the brightness can increase to 4th level visible to the naked eye. It is located near Ophiuchus, seen at low altitude in the southwest after sunset at dusk, and the elevation angle is low. Unobstructed locations near the horizon are suitable for viewing; according to orbital parameters, it is estimated that it will take 70,000 years for this comet to orbit the sun.

Take the name of the comet like this!Nanying Planetarium reveals naming principles

In addition, the Nanying Planetarium revealed the naming method of the comet, stating that “the C in the name of the comet indicates that it is a non-periodic comet (or a period of more than 200 years)”; 2021 A1 is the time when it was discovered, and “2021 is the discovery. The year of, A represents the first half of January (A, B, C, D… are arranged in order every half month), and the number 1 is the first comet discovered in this time period.”

News source: China TV News