Christmas comet visible December 25

There’s a Christmas comet this year, visible on December 25. Named comet Tsuchinshan, but known astronomically as 62P, its 6.5 year orbit will bring it closest to the sun on Christmas when it will be visible from the northern hemisphere through binoculars. Just look in the constellation Leo. It will get closest to the Earth as it travels around the Sun on January 29.

According to Skylive.com, in English this constellation is known as “The Lion” while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as “Leo” (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union – IAU) or as “Leon” (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

Where to view the Christmas Comet

The astronomy website in-the-sky-.org says “from Kansas City  on the day of perihelion it will be visible in the morning sky, becoming accessible around 00:23, when it reaches an altitude of 21° above your eastern horizon. It will then reach its highest point in the sky at 05:15, 65° above your southern horizon. It will be lost to dawn twilight around 06:24, 60° above your south-western horizon.”

Several years ago, another comet graced the skies at Christmas.

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice