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from the Wirtanen-and-the-Comets-doesn't-quite-sound-the-same dept.
Hyperactive Comet Wirtanen to Show off During Historically Close Flyby:
The comet 46P/Wirtanen was discovered in 1948, but this could be the best year to get a good look at the small, hyperactive space ball of rock, ice and debris.
That's because when the comet passes nearest to Earth on Dec. 16 at a distance of 7.1 million miles (11.5 million kilometers), it'll be the 10th closest encounter with our planet since 1950. And it could be the brightest of the entire top 10.
It should become visible with the naked eye in the night sky as it approaches and could remain that way for weeks, according to the University of Maryland's astronomy department, which is leading an observation campaign of the comet.
[...] Astronomers are already busy tracking and observing Wirtanen, but expect it to become the subject of some excitement and numerous star parties as it becomes visible to the rest of us in December.
At closest approach, it would still be at 30 times the Earth-Moon distance; no risk of impact with the Earth. This time around, at least.
(Score: 2, Informative) by nitehawk214 on Tuesday October 16 2018, @08:11PM (1 child)
That is a pretty good capture, though. Comets are "planetary", as far as imaging goes. You always have to do lots of frames to get a good image. I have been looking for an excuse to buy a new planetary camera, this might just be it.
I feel you on clouds though, I missed the one that was bright a couple months ago due to constant crappy weather.
JPL's Horizons [nasa.gov] says 46P will be going through Cetus, Eridanus, Taurus, and Perseus in December. Should be a good show for northern hemisphere people.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh
(Score: 2) by fyngyrz on Wednesday October 17 2018, @11:53PM
Yep... and I'm in northern Montana, so hopefully... :)