Comet 2016U1 is getting brighter and is probably within the reach of big bino's from a reasonably dark site. This is my image from this morning from a light polluted site. I couldn't see it in 7X50's. I measure its visual equivalent magnitude at 9.3, others are seeing it brighter.
So while looking for Santa in the morning sky tomorrow check out this comet as well!!
Happy Christmas everyone
Peter
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Nice image Peter. This is an interesting comet. When discovered it was very diffuse as it approaches perihelion it is becoing more condensed. There are questions about whether this is a new comet on its first visit to the inner solar system and if this is so that it may not survive perihelion passage. It could be returning comet or a fragment of another older comet, It will be interesting to observe its eventual fate. As always with comets expect the unexpected we can never be sure what will occur.
Denis Buczynski