Comets
Latest about Comets
Comet Leonard makes its closest approach to the sun today, one year after its discovery
By Elizabeth Howell published
Comet Leonard shines brightly in images captured by a small Chinese satellite on the backdrop of aurora and passing meteors.
Comets' heads may be green, but never their tails, study finds
By Samantha Mathewson published
Comets heat up very quickly as they approach the sun, causing the icy bodies to glow green, but never in the tails trailing behind them. A new study may finally reveal why.
Comet Leonard shines amid aurora and meteor shower in stunning footage by Chinese spacecraft
By Andrew Jones published
Comet Leonard shines brightly in images captured by a small Chinese satellite on the backdrop of aurora and passing meteors.
Comet Leonard's discoverer explains how the unusual object was found
By Samantha Mathewson published
Discovered nearly a year ago, Comet Leonard is on its final tour of Earth's neighborhood, lighting up the night sky for viewers this holiday season.
'Outbursts' from Comet Leonard spotted by NASA satellite (video)
By Rahul Rao published
NASA's STEREO-A satellite caught this view of Comet Leonard as it continued to streak into the inner solar system in December.
Comet Leonard, the brightest of the year, is fading and acting strange
By Meghan Bartels last updated
Something strange is happening to skywatchers' most anticipated comet of the year.
Giant comet was active way farther from the sun than expected, scientists confirm
By Samantha Mathewson published
One of the largest comets ever discovered was active long before scientists had expected, according to NASA's industrious planet-hunting telescope.
Rosetta's 'rubber ducky' comet makes closest approach to Earth, will disappear for 200 years
By Tereza Pultarova published
Comet 67P, which famously hosted the first-ever cometary lander in 2014, made its closest approach to Earth on Friday (Nov. 12).
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