For Christmas, a star of wondrous beauty bright

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/211219/news/for-christmas-a-star-of-wondrous-beauty-bright-466209.html published on SundayTimes on 19.12.2021

Leonard’s comet code named as C_2021_A1 (c) Bayfordbury Observatory (University of Hertfordshire)

According to the legends, a comet appeared in the sky on Jesus Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Setting the right tone for this Christmas season, a comet appears on the night sky these days, where you may also barely be able to observe it through the naked eye as a dot.

This comet was discovered by astronomer G. J. Leonard in January this year; hence it was named Leonard’s comet. Comet Leonard made its closest approach to Earth last Sunday, 12th of December, getting more prominently visible at the horizon at sunset closer to the planet Venus or the evening star. Today – on the 19th of December; the comet would appear closer to Venus.

The comet Leonard is a fast-moving object in space estimated to be traveling 71 km(44miles) per second. According to the astronomers, the comet will pass the sun on the 3rd of January next year, eject itself from our solar system after that. It is better to use a telescope to observe this comet, says Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, from the Department of Physics, University of Colombo.
Visit Sri Lanka Science Channel for more information https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZoJpB5fsKU

The position of the Leonard’s Comet on 19th of December. Image courtesy of Sri Lanka Science Channel.