Astronomers measure ‘biggest’ comet (beautiful picture), page
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Topic started on 16-4-2010 @ 09:33 PM by predator0187
www.phenomenica.com...

Quote from source:
Astronomers have measured Comet McNaught, which is believed to be the biggest comet to date.

In January 2007, people around the world watched comet McNaught streak across the sky.

It was the brightest comet seen since 1965 and, in some places, was visible to the naked eye in broad daylight.

The visible tail was about 35 degrees long, or roughly the same apparent size as 70 full moons lined up in the night sky.

By chance, the European Space Agency's Ulysses spacecraft plowed through the width of the comet's tail in February 2007.

Designed to study the sun's atmosphere, the probe could record information on how the comet's passage affected the solar wind, which is actually charged particles constantly streaming from the sun.

When a comet nears the sun, heat vaporizes the space rock's ices, releasing dust, which forms the comet's shining tail. But comets also have invisible tails of charged gases, or plasma, that interact with the solar wind.

Like a boat stirring up a wake, a comet's plasma tail creates "bow waves" in the solar wind on either side of the comet.




I had to share this picture because it is beautiful. Also, a lot of good information about this comet, and it is interesting to read about the biggest comet. Hopefully this is the biggest one that we ever see, especially this close to Earth.

Any thoughts?

Pred...


reply posted on 17-4-2010 @ 01:09 AM by predator0187
reply to post by destiny-fate


That's awesome.

I would have taken a ton of pictures though, just so I could remember. Awesome sight though, once in a lifetime opportunity.

Pred...


reply posted on 18-4-2010 @ 11:12 PM by predator0187
reply to post by ladyinwaiting


Your welcome buddy.

Anything that I look at and I can stare at awe in for a few minutes I feel the need to share it. This picture to me was breathtaking so I thought other would appreciate it as well.

Pred...


reply posted on 18-4-2010 @ 11:29 PM by predator0187
reply to post by Alexander the Great


www.seeinginthedark.org...

1654 x 1309 - 2025k - jpg

Here you go. One of the better ones I could find.

Pred...
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