An interstellar comet looks to be heading our way

cnet ^ | September 11, 2019 | Eric Mack

[BenLurkin]

A comet first spotted by a Ukrainian amateur astronomer looks to be just the second known object to visit our cosmic neighborhood from beyond the solar system. What could be an even bigger deal is that this one was discovered as it's still approaching us.

The comet was found by Gennady Borisov of Crimea on Aug. 30, and went by the temporary name GB00234 until very recently. After being watched by several other observatories over the past few weeks, it was given the official name of C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) by the Minor Planet Center on Wednesday.

It appeared to follow a so-called hyperbolic trajectory, which means it doesn't orbit the sun and probably originates from far beyond our solar system.

This comet is still inbound, and won't reach perihelion (its closest pass by the sun) until Dec. 10.

[adorno]

This is V-ger coming back home to report on its findings.

[plsvn]

If Borisov discovered it why doesnt HE get to name it Borisov's Comet?

That's not how naming discovered comets work. Comets are generally named after the person(s) (or instrument/equiment) that discovered it. Asteroids are different. The discoverer of an asteroid gets to name it once the orbit is established and confirmed. If the asteroid discoverer doesn't name it in 10 years, the International Astronomical Union gives it a name.

[BenLurkin]

No.

[BenLurkin]

ibdwhguu

[dsrtsage]

Classic book

[MIA_eccl1212]

It’s not a comet.
It’s the necromongers and the Lord Marshal.
Apparently it is time to replenish the ranks.

[RightGeek]

[Bommer]

Atomic Heart Mother or Echos

[cymbeline]

“ hated the word blog”

So do I.

[Deaf Smith]

"to report on findings

Second probe to verify first ship data recordings.

[bankwalker]

it is short for web log ...

[Revel]

“Night of the Comet”

In that scenario then every nuke plant in the world would soon melt down.

[Secret Agent Man]

Yeah in just about every end of the world movie they never touch on this. Its like all the starships just have normal gravity.

[Crazieman]

If I”m interpreting this correctly, just a hair outside Mars orbit?

[P.O.E.]

Meddle side two is one of my favorite late-night tracks of all time.

[CJ Wolf]

You are gonna half to explain dat.

[shotgun]

“I want to name it after my wifr, Dottie. She’s an evil, life-sucking bitch from which there is no escape”

Carl, the astronomer, from the movie Armageddon.

[Bratch]

[null and void]

Daddy would have gotten us Uzis...

[jonascord]

If this planet passes thru the tail, we'll all die from the cyanide. That's how it worked in 1910.

I've got these anti-comet pills...

No expiration date...