A live webcast will track a newly discovered comet as it goes by a dense collection of stars noticeable in Earths sky.The brilliant Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard), also referred to as Comet Leonard, will zip the globular cluster Messier 3 in Canes Venatici on tonight (Dec. 2). Both things will be visible in field glasses from dark-sky locations, and will be close sufficient together to see in a single telescope field of vision for a few hours.But for those who find its too cold, otherwise bothersome or light-polluted to view the flyby, the Rome-based Virtual Telescope Project will relay the occasion starting at 10 p.m. EST Thursday (0300 GMT Friday, Dec. 3). Editors note: This webcast is reliant on good weather at the observing website. ” At that very minute, the two items will be very close, obviously, in the sky,” project founder Gianluca Masi informed Space.com in an email. “We will see the comet tail slowly moving in front of the cluster.” Comet Leonard will make a fantastic target for amateur astronomers in Decembers night sky. If you require a telescope of binoculars to see worlds in the sky, check out our guide for the finest binoculars offers and the finest telescope offers offered right now. Our best electronic cameras for astrophotography and finest lenses for astrophotography can likewise help you choose the very best imaging equipment to identify the comet.Related: Photos: Spectacular comet views from Earth and spaceStargazer Steven Bellavia captured this picture of Comet Leonard and Leonid meteor on Nov. 13, 2021 from Mattituck, New York. (Image credit: Steven Bellavia) If you miss out on the broadcast, there are still 2 other chances where you can capture the comet at its best: one utilizing your astronomy equipment and another through a second event with the Virtual Telescope Project.On the night of Friday (Dec. 3) during EST hours, the comet will pass by the fainter globular cluster NGC 5466, likewise referred to as the Snowglobe Cluster, in the night sky. Then on Tuesday (Dec. 7), the Virtual Telescope Project plans a second broadcast concentrated on Leonard.That webcast will begin at 11 p.m. EST (0400 GMT) when the Earth is close to the comets orbital plane or path through area, which should provide a relatively brilliant view, according to Masi.Comet Leonard will pass by Messier 3 on Dec. 3, 2021. Image credit: Starry Night. (Image credit: Starry Night) Theres an opportunity the Dec. 8 broadcast will consist of a view of Leonards “anti-tail”, Masi said. This is a spike of light that is opposite to the comets usually noticeable tail of gas and dust. This feature is a thin sheet of dust expelled from comets, which is finest visible as the Earth moves through the comets orbital plane.The comet was found by astronomer Gregory J. Leonard on Jan. 3 at the Mount Lemmon Infrared Observatory, around 17 miles (27 km) northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Leonard hasnt reached peak brightness yet; its uncommon for comets to be naked eye brightness, but amateur astronomers are keeping an eye out just in case.Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
A live webcast will track a freshly discovered comet as it passes by a dense collection of stars noticeable in Earths sky.The bright Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard), likewise known as Comet Leonard, will fly by the globular cluster Messier 3 in Canes Venatici on tonight (Dec. 2). Our finest cams for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can likewise assist you choose the best imaging equipment to find the comet.Related: Photos: Spectacular comet views from Earth and spaceStargazer Steven Bellavia captured this image of Comet Leonard and Leonid meteor on Nov. 13, 2021 from Mattituck, New York. (Image credit: Steven Bellavia) If you miss the broadcast, there are still 2 other possibilities where you can capture the comet at its finest: one using your astronomy equipment and another through a second event with the Virtual Telescope Project.On the night of Friday (Dec. 3) throughout EST hours, the comet will pass by the fainter globular cluster NGC 5466, also understood as the Snowglobe Cluster, in the night sky.