Astronomers 'Dumbfounded' by Six-Tailed Asteroid

Reuters ^ | 11/7/2013 | Irene Klotz

[anymouse]

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a freakish asteroid with six comet-like tails of dust streaming from its body like spokes on a wheel, scientists said on Thursday.

[kaehurowing]

Chariot of Fire? (II Kings)

[raybbr]

Some kid out for a joyride on his comet...

[VeniVidiVici]

Seen it.

[Rennes Templar]

I would surmise it could be a highly irregularly shaped asteroid, with tails coming off different angular surfaces.

[FreedomStar3028]

haha.

[seeker41]

My tiny little kitten that was found beside the road at 5 weeks old is named Ezekiel aka Zeke. He is a miracle...

[MHGinTN]

How large is the comet? What trajectory is it on? ... Could be coming apart and making several ‘objects’ to track.

[seeker41]

Astronomers viewing our solar system’s asteroid belt with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have seen for the first time an asteroid with six comet-like tails of dust radiating from it like spokes on a wheel.

Unlike all other known asteroids, which appear simply as tiny points of light, this asteroid, designated P/2013 P5, resembles a rotating lawn sprinkler. Astronomers are puzzled over the asteroid’s unusual appearance.

http://www.nasa.gov/press/2013/november/nasas-hubble-sees-asteroid-spouting-six-comet-like-tails/#.UnxijuKd4Uq

[adorno]

It’ll be here by Xmas, and three kings from the middle-east will follow it’s path, and will bring gifts to the newborn...

And the Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists will strap bombs to their cheats, and...

[trebb]

If that piece of rock and ice “dumfounds” them, how can they even consider they will ever grasp all of Creation?

[FourtySeven]

LOL!!

That really did make me lol, thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks anymouse.

• Strange Space Object Stumps Astronomers; Appears to be Asteroid but Has Six Comet-Like Tails
• Hubble spots strange asteroid with 6 tails of dust
• 'Freakish' Asteroid Has Six Tails, Sheds Stuff Into Space

---

join or quit view topics view or post blog bookmark post new topic subscribe

---

[SunkenCiv]

• Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Unexpected Tails of Asteroid P5
• Strange Space Object Stumps Astronomers; Appears to be Asteroid but Has Six Comet-Like Tails
• Hubble spots strange asteroid with 6 tails of dust
• Freakish Asteroid Has Six Tails, Sheds Stuff Into Space