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This year several comets have been identified, the most important NEOWISE and ATLAS, which have been seen during the summer and autumn months. However, a new one is in town and is expected to increase its brightness six times over the next few weeks.
Comet Erasmus takes 1,900 years to orbit the sun and has been seen traveling back through the solar system.
The comet is now faintly visible in the night sky just before sunrise, southeast in the sky.
However, it probably won’t be visible to the naked eye yet, but it will be in the coming weeks.
As it gets closer to the Sun, Erasmus will increase by six times in brightness and shine like a 5th magnitude star, which can be easily spotted.
Astronomers predict it will be most visible on December 12, as it plunges into the orbit of Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun.
Thereafter, he will go back on his journey, which will not be seen for nearly 2,000 years.
Space Weather astronomy site said: “Where should you look? If you can find Venus, you can find the comet.
“Look down and southeast before dawn. Comet Erasmus is found in the constellation Hydra, just to the right of Venus, in nearby Virgo.
READ MORE: Centaur discovered lurking deep in the solar system
However, some scientists have warned that comets will become increasingly difficult to see with the naked eye.
Light pollution is making it increasingly difficult for both astronomers and amateur astronomers, as artificial lighting is steadily increasing, says a team of researchers.
According to the natural history museum, light pollution caused by artificial lighting increases by an average of 6% per year.
And when things get lighter here on Earth, the sky at night apparently gets darker.
Gareth Dorrian, postdoctoral researcher in space science at the University of Birmingham, and Ian Whittaker, senior lecturer in physics at Nottingham Trent University, said: “With the steady increase in light pollution in the night sky the observation of comets with the naked eye is becoming much rarer. “
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