First off...no, I'm not talking about one of Santa's reindeer. There is an actual 'Christmas Comet' and you can see it with your very own eyes right up until December 22nd, weather permitting. As you look at it in the night sky, it has a bit of a green-ish tint to it, hence why it's called the Christmas Comet.

The comet, properly called 46P/Wirtanen, is going to be in the top 10 of all comets that have passed close enough to Earth to see with the naked eye. Granted, you'll want to be in a location with very little light pollution, and binoculars will be a great help in actual viewing.

According to NPR.org, the comet was discovered in 1948 by astronomer Carl Wirtanen. And unlike say, Halley's Comet, the Christmas Comet makes a pretty rapid orbit, that takes only a little over 5 years. As opposed to Halley's, which about every 75 years. I fall right in the sweet spot in age, where I might actually see Halley's twice in my lifetime. But let's see how far I make it.....

 

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