Comet 46P/Wirtanen visible from earth
Keep your eyes to the skies! Comet 46P/Wirtanen is making its closest approach to earth, within 7.4 million miles, on December 16.
According to local astronomer, Eric McLaughlin, it may be visible to the unaided eye in very dark locations, but the use of binoculars is recommended. McLaughlin is with the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. He says at its closest approach, the comet will be in the constellation of Taurus near the Pleiades star cluster.
Comet 46P/Wirtanen is expected to be a visual magnitude 3, but because of its small size, some may have difficulty viewing it. Clear skies are expected over the next 48 hours with more cloud cover moving in for the start of the work week across Southern California.
News Channel 3 reached out to local skywatchers, but did not find any local events for this comet sighting, however, we’re told an event is being set up at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory for the lunar eclipse on January 20.
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