Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1): Five Facts in Brief

Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1): Comet Leonard also known as Comet C/2021 A1 is in news as it remained visible in the sky when it passes near the planet Venus.

What is Comets: Comets..commonly known as the frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. According to scientists, Comets are generally range from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun. It is assumes that commets heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet.

Here are Five Facts about Comet C/2021 A1

1. Comet C/2021 A1 was discovered by Greg Leonard and it was named on his name-Leonard.
2. The comet is expected to travel within 2.6 million miles (4.2 million kilometers) of Venus and it is expected to make its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 3 at a distance of 92 million km.
3. On the brightness scale, Leonard's brightness was witnesses at around magnitude +6.3 by scientists. 
4. According to the scientists, the bright comet made its closest approach to Earth on Dec. 12.
5. During its closest path, its passed through a distance of about 34 million kilometers.