Comets
Latest about Comets
City-size comet headed toward Earth 'grows horns' after massive volcanic eruption
By Harry Baker published
The exploding comet, known as 12P/Pons–Brooks, is currently approaching its closest point to Earth during its 71-year orbit through the solar system.
Green comet soars in stunning 3D image of the Milky Way (photo)
By Miguel Claro published
Astrophotographer Miguel Claro captured a panoramic view of the Milky Way, a comet and other night sky sights from a dark sky preserve in Portugal. Watch it in virtual reality.
40 years ago, a comet came out of the blue in a surprise Earth flyby. Here's what we know now.
By Joe Rao published
Forty years ago this month, there came a show stopping celestial sight — literally a bolt out of the blue — as a new comet was discovered close to Earth.
Rare green fireball explodes over Australia, creating bright flash visible for hundreds of miles
By Harry Baker published
An unusual green meteor recently exploded as it plummeted through the sky over Australia, giving off a brilliant flash of light that could be seen for miles.
A comet coming in 2024 could outshine the stars - if we're lucky
By Joe Rao published
A comet recently discovered zooming through our solar system has the potential to be quite bright when it arrives late in 2024, but comets have let us down before.
Oort cloud: What is it and where is it located?
By Vicky Stein last updated
Reference The Oort cloud is a shell of icy bodies that surrounds the solar system. Many comets that frequent our inner solar system originate from this distant region.
Bright new comet discovered zooming toward the sun could outshine the stars next year
By Stephanie Pappas published
The newly discovered comet C/2023 A3 is making a close approach around the sun for the first time in 80,000 years, and might be as bright as a star in fall 2024.
Comet C/2022 A2 (Pan-STARRS) passes close by the sun this weekend
By Stefanie Waldek published
The comet C/2022 A2 (Pan-STARRS) will reach perihelion, or the closest point to the sun in its orbit, on Saturday, Feb. 18. The comet will be visible from Earth at dawn and dusk.
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