--- description: Here's how you can see the biggest comet of 2018 as it nears Earth this weekend. title: The Brightest Comet of the Year Is Visible This Weekend image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt034f4216f2a2267f/69894183db298704dd261726/comet-46p-wirtanen.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Science](/section/science/) ## Science Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Space](/tag/space/) ## Space Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The Brightest Comet of the Year Is Visible This Weekend. Here's Where to See It by [Mahita Gajanan](/author/mahita-gajanan/) ## Mahita Gajanan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Gajanan is an editor at TIME. Dec 14, 2018 3:26 PM CUT  This picture taken from Paris region with a telescope on December 3, 2018 shows the 46P/Wirtanen comet. It will come closer to Earth on December 16, 2018. This picture taken from Paris region with a telescope on December 3, 2018 shows the 46P/Wirtanen comet. It will come closer to Earth on December 16, 2018.NICOLAS BIVER—AFP/Getty Images by [Mahita Gajanan](/author/mahita-gajanan/) ## Mahita Gajanan Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Gajanan is an editor at TIME. Dec 14, 2018 3:26 PM CUT The brightest comet of 2018 will streak past Earth right after the peak of the [Geminid meteor shower](http://time.com/5478770/geminid-meteor-shower-how-watch-tips/ "undefined"). Comet 46P/Wirtanen will be closest to Earth on Dec. 16, according to [EarthSky](https://earthsky.org/space/46p-wirtanen-possibly-visible-to-eye-dec-2018 "undefined"), 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](http://wirtanen.astro.umd.edu/close%5Fapproaches.shtml "undefined"). Comet 46P/Wirtanen appears in the sky as it orbits the sun about every five years. According the University of Maryland, its [brightness varies](http://wirtanen.astro.umd.edu/46P/46P%5Fhistory.shtml "undefined") with each approach—and 2018 is a particularly good year to try and catch the comet with a naked eye. > [](https://twitter.com/Astrofotografen/status/1073611300217991168) 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. * Try to find an area without too much light pollution for the clearest view. The darker the sky, the better. Websites like [Dark Sky Finder](https://darksitefinder.com/map/ "undefined") and [TimeandDate](https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/ "undefined") can help you find a good spot and the best time to see the comet. * Can’t get outside on time? The [Virtual Telescope Project](https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/ "undefined") will stream the comet’s passing. * Keep your eye out for a fuzzy, sort of dim object. The comet will melt a little as it passes the sun, giving off a cloudy green hue. * Don’t expect to see the comet’s tail. Unlike other comets, which tent to produce long trails that form streaks in the sky, Comet 46P will likely have a faint tail that is [hard to see](https://www.space.com/42575-see-comet-64p-wirtanen-earth-flyby-december-2018.html "undefined"). ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5479828/see-brightest-comet-this-year/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5479828/see-brightest-comet-this-year/"},"headline":"The Brightest Comet of the Year Is Visible This Weekend. 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