Interstellar comet 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019, has been seen breaking apart in March 2020.
Hubble Space Telescope observations indicate that fragments of the comet are drifting away, as reported in the Astronomer’s Telegram on April 2, 2020.
Comet News
Possible Interstellar Comet Discovered
Comet 2I/Borisov, discovered on August 29, 2019, has astronomers intrigued as it is only the second known object to be have an orbit and velocity that suggests it is of interstellar origin. It’s orbit has an eccentricity of about 3.5. It will reach perihelion on December 7, 2019.
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Hyperactive comets and terrestial water
New study shows a certain family of comets contain water similar to earth’s water.
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Comet 46P making close approach
The comet 46P/Wirtanen (46P) is set to make a close approach to Earth this weekend. At its closest, 46P will pass a mere 11.7 million km from our planet.
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Rosetta completes mission with controlled impact
ESA’s Rosetta mission has concluded with a controlled descent into Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. “The descent gave Rosetta the opportunity to study the comet’s gas, dust and plasma environment very close to its surface, as well as take very high-resolution images… after becoming the first spacecraft to orbit a comet, and the first to deploy a lander, Philae, in November 2014.” More
Rosetta Photos
Rosetta’s OSIRIS camera team has launched a new website to showcase their recent images of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
Comet Catalina Viewing Guide
Comet Catalina now visible in pre-dawn skies in December.
Oxygen found in Comet
ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft made the first in situ detection of oxygen molecules outgassing from a comet, an unexpected observation that challenges current Solar System formation models. More
New Horizons makes historic Pluto flyby
After nearly a decade-long journey, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has made its flyby of the Pluto and its moons.
Comet Lander Philae Wakes Up
Rosetta’s lander Philae has emerged from hibernation. Comet Lander Philae, which shut down 64 hours after the historic comet landing in November 2014, has sent back signals indicating that it is in good health.