A Small, Bright Surprise: Two Views of a Sungrazing Comet
When scientists downlinked data from Parker Solar Probe’s sixth orbit, there was a small, bright surprise waiting for them: the spacecraft’s first observation of a…
Comet
Recently Discovered Comet Seen Flying Past the Sun During Total Solar Eclipse
As Chile and Argentina witnessed the total solar eclipse on December 14, 2020, unbeknownst to skywatchers, a little tiny speck was flying past the Sun…
Arches of Chaos: New Superhighway Network Discovered to Travel Through the Solar System Much Faster
Researchers have discovered a new superhighway network to travel through the Solar System much faster than was previously possible. Such routes can drive comets and…
Fast-Moving Gas Flowing Away From Young Star Caused by Icy Comets Being Vaporized
A unique stage of planetary system evolution has been imaged by astronomers, showing fast-moving carbon monoxide gas flowing away from a star system over 400…
Researchers Discover Phosphorus – an Element Necessary for Life – in Particles Collected From a Comet
An international study led by the University of Turku discovered phosphorus and fluorine in solid dust particles collected from a comet. The finding indicates that…
Unexpected Ultraviolet Aurora Detected at a Comet by the Rosetta Spacecraft
ESA’s Rosetta mission discovers unique aurora at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Data from Southwest Research Institute-led instruments aboard ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft have helped reveal auroral emissions in…
Second Alignment Plane of Solar System Discovered After Accounting for Galactic Gravity
A study of comet motions indicates that the Solar System has a second alignment plane. Analytical investigation of the orbits of long-period comets shows that…
H2O Is Deceptively Complicated: First-Ever Measurements Show Supercooled Water Is Really Two Liquids in One
First-ever measurements provide evidence that extremely cold liquid water exists in two distinct structures that co-exist and vary in proportion dependent on temperature. Supercooled water…
Astronomers Discover “One of a Kind” Glow Surrounding Comet – Ultraviolet Atomic Emissions
An atmospheric light show previously relegated to planets and Jupiter moons is found on comet using data from ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft. Data from NASA instruments…
Ultraviolet Aurora Phenomenon Discovered on Comet Chury – “The Resulting Glow Is One of a Kind”
In the aurora borealis on Earth, electrically charged particles of the solar wind move along the Earth’s magnetic field. At high latitudes, these strike nitrogen…
Rainbow “Rubber Duck” Comet With a Heart of Sponge
A permeable heart with a hardened facade — the resting place of Rosetta’s lander on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is revealing more about the interior of the…
Celebrity Comet NEOWISE Close-Up Snapped by Hubble
NASA Hubble Space Telescope images of comet NEOWISE, taken on August 8, zero in on the visitor’s coma, the gossamer shell of gas and dust…
From Comet NEOWISE to Comet Interceptor [Video]
Discovered in March 2020, Comet NEOWISE became visible to the naked eye in July, gifting observers in the northern hemisphere with one of the most…
Comet NEOWISE Streaks Across the Sky Above Lone Pine Lake in Stunning NASA Image
Faintly in the distance, Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE (Comet NEOWISE) streaked across the sky above the tree line of Lone Pine Lake, located on the…
Stunning Photo Captures International Space Station Above Comet NEOWISE
The International Space Station, with a crew of five onboard, is seen in this 10 second exposure above comet NEOWISE, Saturday, July 18, 2020 from…
Comet NEOWISE Brightens the Night in Stunning Space Station Video
Look up toward the stars this month, and you just might spot the brightest comet to grace Northern Hemisphere skies in decades. In July 2020,…
Stunning View of Comet NEOWISE Over Madrid As Space Station Streaks Past
Skygazers across the Northern Hemisphere are being treated to stunning views of comet NEOWISE as it streaks past Earth. Amateur astrophotographer Javier Manteca got a…
How to Best See Comet NEOWISE – Before It’s Gone for Another 6,800 Years
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere are hoping to catch a glimpse of Comet NEOWISE as it zips through the inner solar system before it speeds…