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Comet Returns After 37,000 Years
BBC ^
| 2-19-2003
Posted on 02/19/2003 3:32:43 PM PST by blam
Comet returns after 37,000 years
![](http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38844000/jpg/_38844997_comet_2_203.jpg)
The comet (right) approaches the Sun
A recently-discovered comet makes its closest approach to the Sun. Moments later, it seems to be struck by a super-hot outburst of gas from the star.
This spectacular image was spotted on Tuesday by a spacecraft, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (Soho).
The joint European Space Agency/Nasa satellite is designed to give warnings of stormy space weather that might affect the Earth.
Soho has photographed hundreds of comets around the Sun but this one, known as Neat, has only just been seen.
It has been hovering in the evening sky for the past few weeks but is hardly visible without a telescope.
Ancient visitor
The comet, which goes by the official name C/2002 V1, is new to astronomers.
![](http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38845000/jpg/_38845717_neat_203.jpg)
The comet is putting on a spectacular show Calculations show it has passed through the inner Solar System once before but this was 37, 000 years ago.
The comet is unusual in that it is very large and very bright. In fact it is the brightest comet ever observed by one of Soho's instruments.
Scientists are studying its interaction with the solar wind - the hot, charged particles flowing from the Sun.
They hope it could reveal new information about what comets are made of.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 000; 37; comet; returns; years
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This comet is the size of Jupiter. Could this thing cause problems on earth? (volcanos/earthquakes?)
1
posted on
02/19/2003 3:32:44 PM PST
by
blam
To: 2sheep; RadioAstronomer; RightWhale
Check in with your comments please.
2
posted on
02/19/2003 3:33:41 PM PST
by
blam
To: blam
OH NO, IT'S PLANET X!!!
3
posted on
02/19/2003 3:37:52 PM PST
by
foolscap
To: blam
This comet is the size of Jupiter.Uh... No. I don't think so. If that were the case, the Earth would no longer be in its orbit.
4
posted on
02/19/2003 3:38:26 PM PST
by
Redcloak
(Jøìn thë Çøålìtìon tø Prëvënt the Åbûsë of Ûnnëçëssårìlÿ Lëngthÿ, Vërbøsë ånd Nønsënsìçål Tåg Lìnës)
To: blam
Maybe bigger; it's enormous.
To: First_Salute
Really hugh?
6
posted on
02/19/2003 3:40:06 PM PST
by
Redcloak
(Jøìn thë Çøålìtìon tø Prëvënt the Åbûsë of Ûnnëçëssårìlÿ Lëngthÿ, Vërbøsë ånd Nønsënsìçål Tåg Lìnës)
To: Redcloak
7
posted on
02/19/2003 3:40:21 PM PST
by
blam
To: blam
Thank Gawd: now I can pee............
To: Redcloak
"Uh... No. I don't think so. If that were the case, the Earth would no longer be in its orbit." I thought I'd read that somewhere, maybe not.(?)
9
posted on
02/19/2003 3:41:32 PM PST
by
blam
To: Redcloak
I think the coma IS the size of Jupiter.
To: blam
I'd love to hear some Real Gas Music from Jupiter!
11
posted on
02/19/2003 3:42:29 PM PST
by
RobRoy
To: blam; mhking
![](http://media.abcnews.com/media/us/images/wolffiles_21_applewhite.jpg)
?
12
posted on
02/19/2003 3:43:40 PM PST
by
Shermy
To: Shermy
There is a purple spot just behind the comet. No... Never mind. That's a fingerprint on my monitor.
13
posted on
02/19/2003 3:45:06 PM PST
by
Redcloak
(Jøìn thë Çøålìtìon tø Prëvënt the Åbûsë of Ûnnëçëssårìlÿ Lëngthÿ, Vërbøsë ånd Nønsënsìçål Tåg Lìnës)
To: LibWhacker; blam
That sounds more likely.
14
posted on
02/19/2003 3:45:41 PM PST
by
Redcloak
(Jøìn thë Çøålìtìon tø Prëvënt the Åbûsë of Ûnnëçëssårìlÿ Lëngthÿ, Vërbøsë ånd Nønsënsìçål Tåg Lìnës)
To: blam
Are the wings for when it is traveling through a planets atmosphere, for better control?
Also, I thought the tail would always extend directly out from the solar side of the comet. That's sure not what's happening in this photo. It must be a composite.
15
posted on
02/19/2003 3:45:45 PM PST
by
RobRoy
To: RobRoy
Two words:
Lucifer's Hammer
By Purnell/Niven
16
posted on
02/19/2003 3:47:46 PM PST
by
DCBryan1
To: blam
I'm kind of busy this week. I'll catch this thing the next time it comes by.
17
posted on
02/19/2003 3:50:01 PM PST
by
Timm
To: Redcloak
LOL! But seriously...what's the horizontal straight line poking out from behind the comet's head...edge-view of a flying saucer?
18
posted on
02/19/2003 3:50:11 PM PST
by
Shermy
To: RobRoy
I think that the tail of the comet appears to be non-radial because we have a two dimensional view of a three dimensional problem. The Earth is on the ecliptic plane, and the comet is above the plane. I don't know (but perhaps others do) what the direction of the comet is - it could be coming at us, going away from us, heading downward, heading upward, heading some other direction, etc.
Does anyone know if this can be seen - after sunset, or before sunrise?
19
posted on
02/19/2003 3:50:58 PM PST
by
RandyRep
To: DCBryan1
Two words:
Lucifer's Hammer
By Purnell/Niven
20
posted on
02/19/2003 3:51:57 PM PST
by
blam
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