The brightest comet of 2018 will streak past Earth right after the peak of the Geminid meteor shower.
Comet 46P/Wirtanen will be closest to Earth on Dec. 16, according to EarthSky, and is currently the brightest comet in the sky. The comet will come within about 7 million miles of Earth, putting it among the 10 comets that have come closest to the planet since 1950, according to the University of Maryland’s astronomy department.
Comet 46P/Wirtanen appears in the sky as it orbits the sun about every five years. According the University of Maryland, its brightness varies with each approach—and 2018 is a particularly good year to try and catch the comet with a naked eye.
Stargazers eager to catch the comet as it passes across the sky should be able to see it from anywhere on Earth on Dec. 16. Here are some tips on seeing Comet 46P/Wirtanen.
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Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com