Comets – NeRDs Moonbase

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?

April 27, 2024 NeRD

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Jonti Horner is an astronomer and astrobiologist based at the University of Southern Queensland, in Toowoomba, Queensland. Hot on the heels of the disappointing Green Comet, astronomers have just discovered a new comet with the potential to be next year’s big story – C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Although it is still more than 18 months from its closest approach to Earth and the sun, comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS already has social media buzzing, with optimistic articles being…

NASA’s NEOWISE Extends Legacy With Decade of Near-Earth Object Data

April 4, 2024 NeRD

6 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) This artist’s concept depicts the NEOWISE spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Launched in 2009 to survey the entire sky in infrared, the spacecraft took on a more specialized role in 2014 when it was reactivated to study near-Earth asteroids and comets. NASA/JPL-Caltech As the infrared space telescope continues its long-duration survey of the universe, it is creating a unique resource for future astronomers to make new discoveries. NASA’s NEOWISE mission has released its 10th year of infrared data –…

NASA’s NEOWISE Celebrates 10 Years, Plans End of Mission

December 13, 2023 NeRD

NEOWISE is depicted in an artist’s concept in front of an image of the infrared sky that the mission captured. The string of red dots moving across the sky near the center of the image is Holda, the first asteroid the space telescope detected shortly after being reactivated in 2013. NASA/JPL-Caltech The asteroid and comet-hunting infrared space telescope has gathered an impressive haul of observations, but it’s now at the mercy of the Sun, which is accelerating its demise. NASA’s NEOWISE has had a busy decade. Since its reactivated mission…

Titan Occults a Bright Star, Mira Awakens, and Comet PanSTARRS Shines

July 6, 2022 NeRD

Pick one or see them all. July offers a potpourri of celestial events for both naked-eye observers and telescope users that include a rare occultation by Saturn’s moon Titan, a bright comet, and Mira at maximum. The post Titan Occults a Bright Star, Mira Awakens, and Comet PanSTARRS Shines appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Comets to View in 2022

March 30, 2022 NeRD

Like comets? We’ve got 11 frozen fuzzies to share with you in the coming months, including a couple that could become fine binocular objects. The post Comets to View in 2022 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Comet-seeking on Cold, Crunchy Nights

January 5, 2022 NeRD

Did the recent apparition of Comet Leonard whet your appetite for more of these beautiful unpredictables? Here are five more you can see with your telescope this season. The post Comet-seeking on Cold, Crunchy Nights appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Comet Leonard — A Gift at Christmastime

December 25, 2021 NeRD

Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1), which appeared to stall out around magnitude 5 in early December, has become a surprise performer. Since transitioning to the evening sky, it’s undergone three successive […] The post Comet Leonard — A Gift at Christmastime appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Tag: Comets