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Comet Unexpectedly Brightens a Millionfold

Posted by kdawson on from the portents-in-the-heavens dept.

swordgeek writes "Comet 17P/Holmes, a relatively obscure and (until a few days ago) dim object, has suddenly flared to be literally a million times brighter, going from magnitude 18 to 2.8. It is just outside of the constellation Perseus, which puts it high in the sky and ideal for viewing at this time of year. The comet still appears starlike even in binoculars but should grow to several arcminutes across over the next few nights. The comet is now readily visible to the naked eye. This is a completely unexpected once-in-a-lifetime event, so get out your finest optics (even if it's just your eyes) and go comet watching!"

2 of 276 comments (clear)

  1. Odd behavior by Muad'Dave · · Score: 5, Interesting

    According to SpaceWeather.com, not only did the comet brighten unexpectedly, it "... has no tail, [and] a remarkable golden color ...". Unless the geometry of the sun-earth-comet trio is such that the tail is pointing directly away from the earth, you'd think there'd be a massive tail given the million-fold increase in brightness.

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  2. I got a photo of it through my telescope by yeremein · · Score: 5, Interesting

    here. There was no visible tail, just a fuzzy circle.