A comet known as the “Christmas comet” is going to be getting brighter and brighter so keep an eye on the night sky.
The Christmas comet, or Comet 46P/Wirtanen, started to brighten last month but will become increasingly easier to see during December.
On December 16, Comet Wirtanen will swing by Earth, closer to us than it's ever been in the last 400 years. Learn more >> https://t.co/lKQMF4VJn6 pic.twitter.com/uvdHW8v5o9
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) December 7, 2018
According to NASA, it is a short-period comet with an orbital period of only 5.4 years.
On Dec. 16, it will be 11.7 million kilometres from Earth, which is the closest that it has been in four centuries, so it will be a good night to try and spot the bright comet in the sky.
“It will be bright enough to see with the naked eye above the eastern horizon all month long, and can be seen even better with a telescope and/or binoculars,” says NASA.
