December 13, 2018 600 AM
FAR WEST TEXAS – The dark skies of West Texas should make ideal conditions for viewing Comet 46P/ Wirtanen. The comet will make its best appearance over a period of four centuries starting Sunday, December 16th , and will stick around all month long.
“On Dec. 16, 46P will be only 7.2 million miles from Earth and will reach an estimated naked eye magnitude of 3 to 7.5, making this comet’s pass the brightest predicted and the brightest close approach to Earth in over 20 years,” NASA said.
Look for it above the eastern horizon after dusk. Although bright enough to see with the naked eye, with the illuminated surface of the Moon at 60 percent visibility from the Earth, the comet may look even more spectacular with binoculars and telescopes.
