Comets
Dwarf Planet Could Become a Comet
A small dwarf planet out past the orbit of Neptune could eventually become one of the brightest comets ever seen.…
Comet McNaught Blazes Through SOHO’s View
Although it's viewed more than 1,000 comets, NASA and ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory has never seen anything like Comet…
Podcast: Comets, Our Icy Friends from the Outer Solar System
The sudden brightening of Comet McNaught has reminded us what a treat it can be to see a comet with…
Comet McNaught is Now Visible in the Daytime!
Okay, this is unprecedented. The really bright Comet McNaught that I mentioned a few days ago is now so bright…
See the Brightest Comet in 30 Years
Bad Astronomer Phil Plait is raving about it, our forum is buzzing about it, and there seem to be stories…
A New Target for Deep Impact
NASA announced today that it will be extending Deep Impact's mission, giving it a chance to visit another comet. The…
Help Look for Space Dust
If you've got keen eyes, a computer connection, and a little spare time, you could help discover particles of interstellar…
Spitzer View of Comet Chunks
The broken Comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann 3. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Click to enlarge As Comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann 3 is falling apart before our…
Comets May Be the Source of Earth’s Water
The new comet is indicated by the blue arrow. Image credit: Gemini Observatory Click to enlarge Astronomers have discovered three…
Giotto Met Halley 20 Years Ago
An artist's impression of Giotto's brief encounter with comet Halley. Image credit: ESA Click to enlarge This week the European…