The “Christmas comet” puts on a show after a burst of activity

It is not yet too late to observe C / 2021 A1 (Leonard) a.k.a Comet Leonard, this year’s brightest.

Passed near Earth on December 12, and very close to Venus on the 17th, she now continues her ride towards the Sun whose perihelion – the point of its orbit closest to the foyer stellar – will be on January 3, 2022 (exactly one year after its discovery).

Burst of activity for comet Leonard

Over the past two days, observers around the world have reported a significant increase in its brightness, linked to a sudden burst of activity. The star of diffuse appearance was easily discernible in dusk, not far from Venus.

Traveling in the hottest region of Solar system, it is normal for its ice to sublimate, pouring gas and dust trapped there in its wake. Weakened, some blocks or cliffs on the lumpy core can suddenly collapse, and cause eruptions visible from Earth. Under the shock of temperatures and solar wind, the star can also be dislocated.

Astrophotographers who, for some, have been following his wanderings in the terrestrial sky for months, the spectacle was incredible, as evidenced by the images they published on the social networks. The comet has its hair in the wind, in the solar wind, therefore the opposite of our Star. In some photos, it evokes the astonished mane of Lion with long tentacles undulating in space, and which is none other than the mark of recent disturbances.