Astronomy Picture of the Day · December 12, 2021

Comet Leonard Before Star Cluster M3

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 12, 2021 is “Comet Leonard Before Star Cluster M3,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Dan Bartlett). The original explanation runs about 153 words.

The featured image shows Comet Leonard passing in front of globular star cluster M3. Please see the explanation for more detailed information. — Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Dan Bartlett Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Comet Leonard is now visible to the unaided eye — but just barely. Passing nearest to the Earth today, the comet is best seen this week soon after sunset, toward the west, low on the horizon.”

— APOD editors, December 12, 2021

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: December 12, 2021
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Dan Bartlett
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 153 words

All of December 2021 → · 2021 by month → · Full archive since 1995 →

Topics in this entry

Star clusters Comets

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: December 12 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, December 12, 2021 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2021-december-12-comet-leonard-before-star-cluster-m3

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.