Thanks fieldmarshaldj.
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Posted on 12/07/2019 7:46:46 PM PST by BenLurkin
Astronomers have captured the best and closest image to date of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov, a visitor that originated from outside of our solar system and is currently passing through.
On Sunday, the comet will pass within 190 million miles of Earth on its closest approach before continuing on through our solar system. As it gets closer to Earth, the icy comet is shedding more gas and dust through its tail through evaporation.
Astronomers at Yale University used the W.M. Keck Observatory's Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, located in Hawaii, to provide the closest look at the interstellar comet since it was first observed over the summer.
The new photo reveals the comet's impressive tail, which extends for nearly 100,000 miles. That's 14 times the size of Earth, according to the researchers at Yale. "It's humbling to realize how small Earth is next to this visitor from another solar system," said Pieter van Dokkum, a Yale astronomer.
Scientists think the comet originated in another star system but was kicked out after a near-miss with a planet.
Since first observing the comet, astronomers are learning new details. Outside of its hyperbolic orbit, the comet is very similar to those we find in our own solar system.
"The object will peak in brightness in mid-December and continue to be observable with moderate-size telescopes until April 2020,"
Future observations will shed more light on its size, rotation and path.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Another one so soon after Ounoumama? Then interstellar visitors are NOT rare.
LOL, like “rush hour”.
It’s a paradox because everyone could benefit from a second opinion.
Makes sense. Gotta send out the party invitations, and then wait for the RSVPs. These things take time.
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