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The massive, strange Comet K2 is touring the solar system, surprising scientists as it goes
space.com ^ | Tereza Pultarova

Posted on 07/14/2022 1:35:42 PM PDT by BenLurkin

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To: HKMk23

“I swear, the words “I don’t know” are like Kryptonite in the world of science; corner some scientific prognosticator into having to utter them, and they hiss and spit, and shrink into a fetal ball like Gollum warding off an elven rope.”

That is spot on and hilarious.


21 posted on 07/14/2022 2:26:36 PM PDT by dljordan
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To: SunkenCiv

Drove out to Joshua Tree to see Halleys’ Comet. It was dim, and low on the horizon not long before sunrise. Looked like a big fuzzy flashlight in the sky.

Read that its next appearance should be spectacular. I’ll be long gone by then though, of course.


22 posted on 07/14/2022 2:28:20 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: flamberge

We could ask it when it gets close enough to hear us.


23 posted on 07/14/2022 2:30:36 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (Seek refuge in Christ. He is your sword and shield.)
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To: BenLurkin

I’m not counting on being around for it either.

I also missed both of the Venus transits (two eight years apart, then more than 150 year wait for the next pair), but meh.

I’ve got some kind of a shot to see Halley’s, but with the shape I’m in now, I don’t think I want to get that freakin’ old.

And it’s not as if I haven’t seen big comets before. :^)


24 posted on 07/14/2022 2:32:25 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: BenLurkin
>>Why…

Maybe it was activated by Oumuamua when it passed by Earth in 2017.

25 posted on 07/14/2022 2:49:35 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: BenLurkin

There are long period comets that make their return after thousands of years. Likely this one has been here before but we were still figuring out how to make fire or walk upright.


26 posted on 07/14/2022 2:59:30 PM PDT by muir_redwoods (Freedom isn't free, liberty isn't liberal and you'll never find anything Right on the Left)
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To: Track9; BenLurkin
I think we should ask a Hollywood celebrity.

Or just ask any democrat, they'll swear to you it's all Trump's fault.

27 posted on 07/14/2022 3:05:26 PM PDT by Bullish (Rot'sa Ruck America. )
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To: plain talk

I ran to get my 3D glasses to view the animation on Wikipedia, but they were the ones from the movies…
It’s got to be one of the close stars, but how long ago?


28 posted on 07/14/2022 3:07:42 PM PDT by telescope115 (Proud member of the ANTIFAuci movement. )
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To: Rebelbase

The Fanfare of all Fanfares, played by angels!
I am ready!


29 posted on 07/14/2022 3:09:01 PM PDT by telescope115 (Proud member of the ANTIFAuci movement. )
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To: BenLurkin

The massive, strange Comet K2 is touring the solar system, surprising scientists as it goes

Looking for a juicy target, gathering info on locals in preparation for a casual strike by a third and hidden party.

Most likely an ultra dense object launched several light years away, traveling at some part of lightspeed, aimed at the heart of the Sun, the strike causing the Sun to nova, sterilizing the inner Solar System.


30 posted on 07/14/2022 3:15:18 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: BenLurkin

Just one of the billions of Oort Cloud objects suspected to exist. They come when something perturbs their orbits, not before.


31 posted on 07/14/2022 3:17:03 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: plain talk

Interesting. I wonder what star this might be?

Perhaps the suspected dark companion Sun?


32 posted on 07/14/2022 3:18:05 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: BenLurkin

It WAS a rather disappointing show. I showed it to a few people who scoffed and said “Is THAT what all the fuss is about?”
I never did see Kohoutek.
Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp brought hundreds out to our observatory!
I’ll have to check out K2.


33 posted on 07/14/2022 3:18:53 PM PDT by telescope115 (Proud member of the ANTIFAuci movement. )
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To: Stosh
The only recorded image of the event.

34 posted on 07/14/2022 3:20:33 PM PDT by Waverunner
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To: HKMk23
“We have a couple of vague ideas, but we don’t actually know when or how this comet was set in motion”

OR: "We have a preliminary indication;
But there's an ongoing investigation;
So we won't comment on the situation
Until we have further information."

35 posted on 07/14/2022 3:28:35 PM PDT by Migraine ( )
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To: BenLurkin

Probably heard about this crazy place called earth....hey, honey....pack the comet and let’s go see the crazy earthlings.


36 posted on 07/14/2022 3:46:34 PM PDT by ealgeone
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