Pictures show Leonard’s Comet alongside Christ the Redeemer | Rio de Janeiro
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The vast majority of people did not notice, but Comita Leonard Visible in the sky over Rio in recent days. With the naked eye, it is almost impossible to see, but with binoculars, spy glasses or a good photographic lens, the comet and its tail are visible. This Tuesday (21), a photographer from Rio prepared to attempt to click Leonard and Christ the Redeemer in the same photo — and he succeeded.
to me g 1, said Marcello Cavalcante that he had made the calculations of time and angle, and that he realized that, from Meranti Dona Marta, in Botafogo, at about 8 p.m., he would be able to frame the memorial and the comet.
“The ideal is to go out of town to shoot or see with the naked eye, but in very dark places, such as Região Serrana and Região dos Lagos. But with professional equipment and knowledge of how to locate a comet in the sky, it is possible to shoot even in lit places with Rio de Janeiro (. ..) Today I planned to come to Mirante Donna Marta to try and photograph her passing near Christ. It is a very difficult and very detailed plan,” the photographer explained.
Comet Leonard in another click – Photo: Marcello Cavalcante
The star, nicknamed in some ways a “Christmas comet,” was discovered in January of this year, when it was between Mars and Jupiter, and NASA scientists have tracked the orbit it follows toward the sun.
Leonard can be seen with the naked eye in Latin American countries, according to weather conditions.
Comet C/2021 A1, discovered by Gregory J. Leonard (hence its name) was first seen as a “faint spot” in early 2021, when it passed through Mars’ orbit.
Subsequent observations and analyzes of scientists showed that it was a comet with a long orbital period, about 80,000 years – so its appearance near Earth is an extraordinary sight.
Leonard’s comet after passing close to Christ – Photograph: Marcello Cavalcanti
NASA instrument showing Leonard (white) at his closest point to Earth (in blue) on December 12 – Image: NASA
On December 12, Leonard was at its closest point on Earth’s path, approximately 35 million kilometers away. Because of the location, it was the best view in the northern hemisphere.
In the second half of December, it reversed its position from north to south, according to NASA. In Brazil and other countries in South America, forecasts indicate that it will be seen near the western line of the horizon.
After reaching perihelion, the closest point to the Sun in its orbit, Leonard will return to the depths of space on a journey spanning thousands of years.
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