Skip to comments.
An interstellar comet looks to be heading our way
cnet ^
| September 11, 2019
| Eric Mack
Posted on 09/11/2019 5:58:09 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: 201912; 20191210; 2iborisov; astronomy; borisov; c2019q4; c2019q4borisov; carbon; catastrophism; comet; comet2iborisov; comets; cyanide; gb00234; gennadyborisov; hyperbolic; interstellar; nitrogen; oumuamua; oumuamuake; pastronomy; science; starshiptroopers; ukraine; ukrainian; xplanets
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-92 next last
1
posted on
09/11/2019 5:58:09 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
To: BenLurkin
Ukrainian?
I thought Crimea was part of Russia now?
2
posted on
09/11/2019 6:00:18 PM PDT
by
Alas Babylon!
(The media is after us. Trump's just in the way.)
To: BenLurkin
AOC — “It’s bringing interstellar diseases! This is a crisis. We must STOP Global Warming.”
To: BenLurkin
It has been my object in life to rule over The Minor Planet Center. So far not so good.
To: BenLurkin
Wow. Could these interstellar commets be more common than we think? It would be great if we could send a probe to intercept it and send back data.
5
posted on
09/11/2019 6:02:43 PM PDT
by
Wilhelm Tell
(True or False? This is not a tag line.)
Comment #6 Removed by Moderator
To: BenLurkin
Anyone know how close it will pass Earth?
7
posted on
09/11/2019 6:06:07 PM PDT
by
BroJoeK
((a little historical perspective...))
To: BenLurkin
Quick! Send up some oilfield trash!
To: BenLurkin
CNN declares doomsday and blames the comet on Trump. Bernie Sanders declares that true socialism would repel comets and asks for the Russians to help deflect the comet.
9
posted on
09/11/2019 6:08:55 PM PDT
by
The Great RJ
("Socialists are happy until they run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher)
To: BroJoeK
10
posted on
09/11/2019 6:09:48 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire. Or both.)
To: BenLurkin
11
posted on
09/11/2019 6:10:40 PM PDT
by
bankwalker
(Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.)
To: BenLurkin
This thread is getting angry. Someone needs to comet down!
12
posted on
09/11/2019 6:13:42 PM PDT
by
TigersEye
(This is the age of the death of reason.)
To: bankwalker
Such a great book. I miss Jerrys blog. He called it a daybook, hated the word blog, and it predated the word.
13
posted on
09/11/2019 6:16:35 PM PDT
by
FreedomPoster
(Islam delenda est)
To: BenLurkin
First it was Ummagumma now it’s Goober. What next?
14
posted on
09/11/2019 6:18:31 PM PDT
by
fruser1
To: BenLurkin
15
posted on
09/11/2019 6:19:36 PM PDT
by
tellw
(ed)
To: BenLurkin
If Borisov discovered it why doesnt HE get to name it Borisov's Comet?
Not like it's going to come back around.
16
posted on
09/11/2019 6:19:40 PM PDT
by
Centurion2000
(Coming in from the cold .... been a LONG while.)
To: Centurion2000
17
posted on
09/11/2019 6:21:10 PM PDT
by
Centurion2000
(Read ... THEN comment.)
To: BenLurkin
18
posted on
09/11/2019 6:21:46 PM PDT
by
Secret Agent Man
(Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
To: FreedomPoster
it is my second favorite book of all time ...
19
posted on
09/11/2019 6:23:21 PM PDT
by
bankwalker
(Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.)
To: fruser1
First it was Ummagumma now its Goober. What next? Dark Side of the Moon?
20
posted on
09/11/2019 6:25:17 PM PDT
by
libertylover
(Democrats hated Lincoln too.)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80, 81-92 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson