'Christmas Comet' 46P/Wirtanen: 5 stunning photos of the celestial phenomenon
Comet 46P/Wirtanen, also known as the "Christmas Comet," brightened the night sky this weekend, coming within 7.2 million miles of Earth on Sunday.
>> On AJC.com: See the year’s brightest comet as it flies by Earth this weekend
Photographers flocked to social media to share their stunning shots of the celestial phenomenon. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Bleikvassli, Nordland, Norway
2. Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming
Photo by Kevin Palmer, @krp234, Twitter
Comet 46P/Wirtanen was looking incredible last night from the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. It’s already naked eye visible and will get even brighter next week at closest approach. @StormHour @Photo_Space @universetoday @EpicCosmos @earthskyscience pic.twitter.com/dFw46eQM0Z
— Kevin Palmer (@krp234) December 7, 2018
3. Grand Mesa Observatory, Whitewater, Colorado
Photo by Tom Masterson, @transient_astro, Instagram
4. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
Photo by Jack Fusco, @jackfusco, Instagram
