The newly-discovered comet, comet Leonard (C/2021 A1), became a surprise performer in December after three successive outbursts on December 15, 20, and 23. According to Sky and Telescope, observers could see the comet clearly at 3rd magnitude before fading at around 4th magnitude.
As it leaves the Solar System, the comet Leonard has displayed a spectacular show, as seen in the photo captured by an astrophotographer in Arizona. The comet streaked through the night sky in a blaze of blue, green, and orange.
Colors of Comet Leonard
Arizona-based astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy waited for several hours on Boxing Day evening to capture the perfect photo of comet Leonard, Mail Online reported. He shared the photo in his Instagram account, which showed its magnificent colors.
Despite being low in the southwestern sky, McCarthy was able to get 12 minutes worth of close-up shots to see the incredible structure and color of the comet's nucleus. He noted that even a smartphone could capture it when pointed in the right direction.
Planetary scientist, Gianrico Filacchiane from the Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology in Rome, explains that the spectacular colors of comet Leonard are due to gas emissions in its coma, the nucleus covered in vaporized ice and dust. These gases are released when the comet orbits close to the Sun as it receives heat.
Each molecule has their unique colors, so energy at different wavelengths are released when these gases are heated by the Sun. For instance, the green color in the comet's tail is due to its icy rock interior. Comet Leonard first emits a blue color that turns yellow or white and then finally green.
Its teal color indicates that the comet is warm, contains lots of diatomic carbon and cyanide, and can break up at its highest. When it comes close to the Sun, it reflects different wavelengths visible to the naked eye.
Furthermore, the red color is due to organic-rich material like carbon. McCarthy told Mail Online that ice particles tend to scatter more to create the blue light, but the tail dust has organic compounds that cause the red color.
Comet Leonard Moving Away From Earth Never to Be Seen Again
On Monday, January 3, comet Leonard came within 56 million miles (90 kilometers) from the Sun, the closest distance it got to the Solar System's star. But now, it is moving across the Solar System and will be as far as Jupiter is to the Sun by early 2023, according to Space.com.
Scientists estimated that the comet will never again pass near the Sun and will carry on to move into interstellar space. Spotting the comet in the sky has slowly become trickier for amateur astronomers and observers in the northern hemisphere.
Space.com reported that comet Leonard appears in the southwest sky, as farther south than Washington D.C., and can be slightly seen during sunset. Then by mid-January, comet Leonard will be only seen during daylight in the US.
Check out more news and information on Comet Leonard in Science Times.
