Comets that swing by Earth once every 4,000 years are still able to cause meteor showers
Meteor showers can happen even with comets that have long orbits, including those approaching 4,000 years, according to a new study from researchers at NASA.
Comets
Heavy metal vapours are detected in comets throughout our Solar System
Heavy metal vapours have been found inside comets in the solar system and beyond by astronomers who say the discovery ‘went under the radar’ for 20 years. Experts from the University of Liège in Belgium studied data from the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope to look into the atmosphere of comets. They found that … Read more
New spacecraft to track comets will be built in Britain
Government announces new spacecraft to track down comets and map them in 3D will be built in Britain By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter Published: 00:01 GMT, 14 December 2020 | Updated: 00:01 GMT, 14 December 2020 A new spacecraft to track down comets and map them in 3D will be built in Britain, … Read more
Comet’s icy interior is ‘fluffier than froth on a cappuccino’
Data from the European Space Agency’s robotic Philae lander has revealed that Comet 67P’s icy interior is ‘fluffier than froth on a cappuccino’. Analysis of a giant dent made by Philae on the comet’s icy boulders during its ‘second touchdown’ in 2014 provides new insights into the softness of the exposed ice. Philae bounced as it … Read more
Comets didn’t bring Earth’s water as it ‘was here from the start’, study finds
Water was NOT brought to Earth by asteroids or comets but has been present ever since the planet first formed, meteorite study suggests Researchers found a material present in the inner solar system carries hydrogen The material was found by studying meteorites called enstatite chondrite The hydrogen is in such an abundance that it could … Read more