Say farewell to 2016 with comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova
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| Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková, captured on October 1st, 2011. Source: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
The little Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, it has 1.6 kilometres in diameter, will be close to the moon on New Year's Eve, this celestial traveller has a bluish-green colour been a periodic comet which returns to the inner solar system about every 5 years.
The comet will be visible using a telescope or strong binoculars. To observe this object people should point their instruments to the west just after sunset to catch a glimpse of the comet, which will be just to the left of the crescent moon. Also it will be recommended to go away from residential lights.
However, it will be best to spot the comet when this is closer to Earth on February 11 next year, at a distance of about 12 million kilometres. The next year promises to be a good year for comet spotting.
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| Location of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova on teh sky |
