Photo: Cole Gunn

Skygazers and astronomers are excited about a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of celestial phenomenon only seen every 11 years.

It doesn't have a catchy name, it's officially known as 46P/Wirtanen, after the man who first spotted it, but it is also known as the Christmas Comet.

The comet should be visible to the naked eye this weekend as it is expected to burn brightest in the night sky on December 23rd.

The comet is 30 times further away from Earth than the moon and is made up of a collection of dust and rock. Scientist say it should be visible for the next couple of weeks. In fact, it may already have been spotted by Kelowna resident Cole Gunn. He sent Castanet a photo of what looks like it could be the Christmas Comet, except, "I saw it sitting there, then all of a sudden it moved about 4,000 feet back and just stayed there. That's when I ran in and grabbed my camera." Gunn says he has no idea what the light could be, "it just took off, it was instantly gone, it was weird man."   Gunn's observation came last Thursday December 13.
        
Astronomers say the Christmas Comet will shine brighter than most other meteors and comets at this time of year and is one of the closest comets ever to travel past the Earth.

Photo: Nasa