Comet 46P/Wirtanen: Brightest comet visible from earth in 2018 makes its closest pass to the planet on Sunday

The brightest comet visible from earth this year will make its closest pass of the planet on Sunday night.

Comet 46P/Wirtanen only appears visible to earth roughly every five years and is expected to be at its most vivid ever.

“Comet 46P/Wirtanen, a bright green comet is rising into the winter sky,” said Tom Kerss, a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer said.

He is one of a trio who will be trying to spot the phenomenon using Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope, with images from this planned to be shared in a broadcast from 8.30pm on Sunday.

Continuing to describe the comet, he said: “This is exciting for several reasons. The comet will be making an unusually close approach of 7.1 million miles, about 30 times the distance to the Moon, and does so close to its opposition the moment when it appears to be opposite the Sun in the sky.

“The close proximity and high brightness of the comet makes it a perfect target for stargazers and scientists alike.”

This pass comes just days after the Geminid meteor shower peaked in the night sky.

Under exceptional conditions, the comet is faintly visible to the unaided eye but is more easily visible with binoculars and telescopes.

From 8.30pm the Royal Observatory will go live as it aims its Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope at the passing celestial object.

Experts will answer questions and give guidance on spotting the comet.

Weather permitting, they also expect to show imagery of the passing.

Those wishing to try and see it using their own telescopes can find the comet near the Pleiades star cluster.

Dr Emily Drabek-Maunder said: “This is the tenth closest comet to pass by the Earth in modern times, so being able to capture it with a telescope is particularly important for astronomers to better understand the formation of our Solar System and how water and other ingredients necessary for life were carried to the Earth.”