Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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!"

3 of 276 comments (clear)

  1. Regarding Joan Osborne... by StressGuy · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I was never a big fan of the stuff she did that made the radio...but just about everything else I heard from her was pretty amazing. I wonder what ever happened to her?

    --
    A goal is a dream with a deadline
  2. Drinks are on me by ackthpt · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    We've got mixed drinks! Don't forget to put on your black shirts, sweatpants, Nikes and Away Team arm bands before going to bed!

    Valhalla's Gate, Valhalla's Gate, Valhalla's Gate, Valhalla's Gate, Valhalla's Gate, Valhalla's Gate, ufo, ufo, ufo, ufo, ufo, ufo, space alien, space alien, space alien, space alien, space alien, space alien, extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial, millennium, millennium, millennium, millennium, millennium, millennium, millennium, misinformation, misinformation, misinformation, misinformation, misinformation, misinformation, freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom, second coming, second coming, second coming, second coming, second coming, second coming, angels, angels, angels, angels, angels, angels, end times, end times, end times, end times, end times, end times, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, God, God, God, God, God, God

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  3. Re:hale bopp large? bright? yoiu're joking, right? by Firehed · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I'm pretty sure you get the first in Final Fantasy VII. In fact, I'd put five bucks on that tower in the middle to be the clock tower in Kalm. /must dig out the PS1 and play another fifty times

    --
    How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?