Comet Lovejoy managed to survive its pass around the Sun - a mere 140,000 kilometers above the Sun's surface - and has reappeared on the other side! Despite the million-degree temperatures of the solar corona, this comet must have been robust enough to have avoided completely melting, although it now seems to lack a tail for the moment. This lack of a tail may be the result of the rapid orbital speed as it was "slung" around the Sun, being basically ripped away from its tail due to its increased velocity. It may also be the case that the Sun's heat melted away much of the ice that was exposed at its approach and there is now a significantly less amount of debris being streamed out behind it - lost in the glare of the Sun and the glowing comet head. We'll see if a tail reappears in the coming hours. For now, check out the videos and images posted by the SOHO space observatory:
SOHO Pick of the Week
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
A comet's final day
While we can't see it from Oneonta today because of the clouds, comet C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) is putting on a remarkable, unexpected show. Discovered last month as a large fragment of a comet that broke up, its orbit is taking it on what appears to be a suicide mission, plunging it deep into the Sun's atmosphere. This close approach will likely lead to the demise of the comet.
Comets are visitors from the outer regions of the solar system and are comprised of mostly ice and dust. Ranging in size from about 100 meters to nearly 50 kilometers, these objects are often referred to as "dirty snowballs." As it approaches the Sun, a comet's surface begins to vaporize, releasing a trail of dust and gas that streams out behind it as it flies through space. Often there exist two such tails, one of dust which basically follows the orbital trajectory traced out by the comet's motion, and another consisting of ionic gas which is pushed radially outward away from the Sun by the solar wind.
As Comet Lovejoy approaches the Sun, its vaporization causes it to grow brighter over time. Current predictions are that it may grow bright enough to see with the naked eye just after sunset today, provided that you have a clear view of the horizon. But look fast! If you miss it today, it'll be gone tomorrow.
For a consistently updated (often hourly) description as the situation changes, follow this blog here: SOHO and STEREO Sungrazing Comets.
Comets are visitors from the outer regions of the solar system and are comprised of mostly ice and dust. Ranging in size from about 100 meters to nearly 50 kilometers, these objects are often referred to as "dirty snowballs." As it approaches the Sun, a comet's surface begins to vaporize, releasing a trail of dust and gas that streams out behind it as it flies through space. Often there exist two such tails, one of dust which basically follows the orbital trajectory traced out by the comet's motion, and another consisting of ionic gas which is pushed radially outward away from the Sun by the solar wind.
As Comet Lovejoy approaches the Sun, its vaporization causes it to grow brighter over time. Current predictions are that it may grow bright enough to see with the naked eye just after sunset today, provided that you have a clear view of the horizon. But look fast! If you miss it today, it'll be gone tomorrow.
For a consistently updated (often hourly) description as the situation changes, follow this blog here: SOHO and STEREO Sungrazing Comets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)