Santa’s sleigh won’t be the only bright object speeding across the skies Christmas Eve. The Leonard Comet, nicknamed the ‘Christmas Comet,’ will be visible low in the southwestern sky about sunset. Astronomers recommend binoculars to help spot it.
The comet, which last went across Earth’s orbit 80,000 years ago, was spotted in January by an astronomer and became brightest in the sky earlier this month. The bright moon has been making it more difficult to see. However, the moon, which is waning at 75 percent, will not rise Friday until 10:26 p.m.
Venus, which is bright in the southwest at sunset now, can be a good point to look. The comet will be low in the horizon and may be difficult to see with tree lines. Also, the glow from the sunset may make it more difficult to see.
But, the comet is there and people in Orange County have been spotting it. Sunset Friday is 5:21 p.m. Find a dark spot and look toward the southwest.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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