Posted on 10/26/2015 7:26:54 PM PDT by Fred Nerks
A comet with the nickname Happy Hour leaves a boozy trail equivalent to "500 bottles of wine per second" in its wake as it shoots through space.
Scientists studying the comet, known as Lovejoy, have found its glowing trail is made up of alcohol and sugar.
A study published by a group of scientists from NASA and European agencies observed the unusual comet as it rocketed alongside the sun on January 30, NASA reports.
"You have alcohol and sugar, so that can lead to a 'happy hour' name, but I would not recommend anyone drink this water," team researcher Darek Lis said.
The IRAM 30-meter radio telescope where the scientists researched Lovejoy. (Photo: Nicolas Biver)
The organic compounds released by Happy Hour include ethyl alcohol, which is commonly found in alcoholic beverages, and a sugar called glycoaldehyde.
It is the first time these compounds have been observed in a comet.
Happy Hour is one of the most active comets to be discovered since the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997.
When it was observed near the sun, Lovejoy released about 20 tons of water a second.
© ninemsn 2015
Jim Beam was my preferred, but I would drink ANYTHING, not really picky.
(Bottom-shelf pints of vodka out of a paper bag down at the boat ramp - very classy....)
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