Tag: Comet ATLAS

Astrophysicists suggest carbon found in comet ATLAS help reveal age of other comets

Astrophysicists from Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU, Russia), South Korea, and the U.S. appear in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggesting carbon indicates time comets have spent in the Solar System—the less carbon, the longer they have been in the proximity of the Sun. The proof is their study of the comet ATLAS (C/2019 Y4) approaching the Earth in…

Here’s how SOHO and a skywatcher discovered Comet SWAN

Almost every day, the SWAN instrument aboard the sun-watching SOHO spacecraft makes a map of the sky. Anyone with internet access them maps and join the search for new comets. To date, 12 comets have been spotted in the SWAN data! Source: https://earthsky.org/space/discovery-comet-swan-solar-watcher-soho…

Will you see Comet SWAN?

Another comet – Comet SWAN – is creating a buzz. There’ve been some amazing long-exposure photos of it. Will you be able to see it? Maybe, but conditions are challenging. Charts and more here. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/comet-c-2020-f8-swan-how-to-see-charts…

Sun-watching spacecraft just might fly through tail of Comet ATLAS in rare encounter

Last month, Comet ATLAS shattered skywatchers' hopes of a brilliant display when it began crumbling — but scientists have spotted a new opportunity to study its rubble. Source: https://www.livescience.com/solar-orbiter-may-fly-through-comet-tail.html

ESA spacecraft might accidentally fly through the tail of a comet

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft was launched earlier this year to study the sun, but it could soon be flying through the tail of comet ATLAS and may be able to study the icy object Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2243509-esa-spacecraft-might-accidentally-fly-through-the-tail-of-a-comet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Comet Swan Is Visible To the Naked Eye and Passing By Earth Tonight

Comet Swan could deliver on the promise of a rare night sky show that Comet Atlas failed to provide. “Already, Swan could be visible to those with exquisitely dark skies and sharp eyes,” reports CNET. “Others might also be able to spot it with binoculars.” From the report: Astronomer Con Stoitsis said some predictions show the comet continuing to brighten in…

Whoa! Comet ATLAS got brighter this week

Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) was getting brighter. Then, sadly, the Hubble Space Telescope caught it apparently disintegrating. Now … surprise. Veteran comet observer Terry Lovejoy reported earlier today that the comet is brightening again! Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/photo-comet-atlas-brightening-may-5-to-may-9-2020…

Breakup of comet ATLAS

The Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers with the sharpest view yet of the breakup of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). Source: https://earthsky.org/space/breakup-comet-atlas-c2019-y4-hubble-image-april2020…