![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3J4EAOANZBA7LNO5CDFMFSJUM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=288fbede7dad1581fbd7695522f24133d3a340b3f7c12a0dc24a706ee80a6baf&width=400&height=225)
Leonard has been called the ‘Christmas comet’ because it is visiting during the month of December and reached its brightest point just days before December 25. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NEHXX7E7QFHCVDBBV2JR7BHBEY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=c711a03cb15e427c1333bee7e43501260e8a1f7891e95a38d39f27c8294806a1&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi astronomer Aldrin Gabuya captured the bright and glowing Comet Leonard over the UAE capital on December 18. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DMMBHJCYSJARPFDPR45LEK2DGM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2ac5e19248080ec80bbf98be38b65717145587ce2551c8d86f917929fa1db58f&width=400&height=225)
The bright green comet was photographed from the UAE as it made a rare approach towards Earth. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OJLLZZVOQRE7TMYVU4MVKU3XAA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=419231f9895ab6b25ec5bdc6720d93dd8d72ca356595b5af30ea18f4ce7d51f0&width=400&height=225)
An image of Venus and Comet Leonard. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/376OG7NMLFAVXMUQDCYDNJANWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=194bfb7e5667801ad92f2f55dc61e1669319c8de3b8ff050dbb1a16babfbbbf0&width=400&height=225)
Comet Leonard appears before the M3 cluster of stars. Photo: Dan Bartlett / Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3J4EAOANZBA7LNO5CDFMFSJUM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=288fbede7dad1581fbd7695522f24133d3a340b3f7c12a0dc24a706ee80a6baf&width=400&height=225)
Leonard has been called the ‘Christmas comet’ because it is visiting during the month of December and reached its brightest point just days before December 25. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NEHXX7E7QFHCVDBBV2JR7BHBEY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=c711a03cb15e427c1333bee7e43501260e8a1f7891e95a38d39f27c8294806a1&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi astronomer Aldrin Gabuya captured the bright and glowing Comet Leonard over the UAE capital on December 18. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DMMBHJCYSJARPFDPR45LEK2DGM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2ac5e19248080ec80bbf98be38b65717145587ce2551c8d86f917929fa1db58f&width=400&height=225)
The bright green comet was photographed from the UAE as it made a rare approach towards Earth. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OJLLZZVOQRE7TMYVU4MVKU3XAA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=419231f9895ab6b25ec5bdc6720d93dd8d72ca356595b5af30ea18f4ce7d51f0&width=400&height=225)
An image of Venus and Comet Leonard. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/376OG7NMLFAVXMUQDCYDNJANWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=194bfb7e5667801ad92f2f55dc61e1669319c8de3b8ff050dbb1a16babfbbbf0&width=400&height=225)
Comet Leonard appears before the M3 cluster of stars. Photo: Dan Bartlett / Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3J4EAOANZBA7LNO5CDFMFSJUM.jpeg?smart=true&auth=288fbede7dad1581fbd7695522f24133d3a340b3f7c12a0dc24a706ee80a6baf&width=400&height=225)
Leonard has been called the ‘Christmas comet’ because it is visiting during the month of December and reached its brightest point just days before December 25. Photo: Aldrin Gabuya / Al Sadeem Observatory
Once-in-a-lifetime ‘Christmas comet’ visible over Abu Dhabi
The bright green comet can be seen after sunset in clear conditions
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
19 December, 2021
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