Comet Leonard—the hoped-for bright “Christmas Comet”—is reported to have brightened yesterday. Here's how, when and where to see it by the astronomer who discovered it.

NASA notes that Leonard made a 40,000-year journey to our sun from the outer solar system, but the comet was only discovered on Jan. 3, 2021 – just one year before perihelion.

The comet was discovered earlier this year by astronomer Gregory Leonard, hence its name. EarthSky describes C/2021 A as “likely to be 2021’s best comet and its brightest comet by year’s end.” ...

Comet Leonard will make it closest approach to Earth on December 12, coming within 21 million miles of our planet. Then, it will sweep by Venus on December 18.

Comet Leonard, which last passed by Earth 80,000 years ago, has been dazzling the night sky before Christmas, and there's only a few days left to see the celestial object before it disappears forever.

Comet Leonard will make it closest approach to Earth on December 12, coming within 21 million miles (34 million kilometers) of our planet. Then, it will sweep by Venus on December 18.

The bright Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard), also known as Comet Leonard, will fly by the globular cluster Messier 3 in Canes Venatici tonight (Dec. 2).

Comet Leonard will make it closest approach to Earth on December 12, coming within 21 million miles (34 million kilometers) of our planet. Then, it will sweep by Venus on December 18.