Comets
Latest about Comets
Stunning image of Comet Leonard breakup wins top astronomy photography prize of 2022
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
A 'disconnection event' in the bright Comet Leonard caught the eyes of judges at Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Comet 67P has the building blocks of life — smells like mothballs and almonds
By Robert Lea published
Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is richer in organic molecules than scientists thought, which could have implications for how life on Earth began.
In Memoriam: Famed 'Comet Hunter' Don Machholz dies at 69
By Joe Rao published
Donald Edward Machholz was an American amateur astronomer who was the leading visual comet discoverer, credited with the visual discovery of 12 comets that bear his name.
Bright fireball over Madrid traced back to comet of origin
By Robert Lea published
A meteor that erupted in a fireball at the end of July has been traced back to the debris of a comet that formed 4.6 billion years ago.
Goodbye, Comet K2! Next stop: closest approach to the sun
By Elizabeth Howell published
Mysterious comet K2 made its closest approach to Earth yesterday and is continuing its journey toward the sun.
The massive, strange Comet K2 is touring the solar system, surprising scientists as it goes
By Tereza Pultarova published
K2, the most pristine comet ever observed, makes a visit to Earth this week. Here is what scientists have learned about it since its surprising discovery.
Why is Comet K2 so hard to see given its huge size?
By Elizabeth Howell published
As a huge comet makes its closest approach to Earth on July 13, you might be curious why it's so hard to spot.
Megacomet K2 caught on camera cruising through celestial equator
By Elizabeth Howell published
A megacomet glows in the dark in this long-exposure image captured by an astrophotographer on June 18, before its closest approach to Earth.
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