Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Astronomers find a very large comet or mega-comet which enters the solar system and approaches Earth.
This very large comet is even estimated to be the size of a mini planet.
According to Tony Dunn, an amateur astronomer who often simulates planets, comets, and other celestial bodies, this object will approach the Oort cloud around 2031. The position of this cloud is not far from Saturn.
However, observers predict this comet will not be as clear as Halley’s comet when it passes close to Earth. Although this conclusion is still too early to be certain.
Sam Deen, an amateur astronomer in an article on the Minor Planet mailing list, calculates that 2014 UN271 will only look as bright as Pluto in the night sky. New Atlas.
The 2014 figure was obtained because this object was found in surveys conducted in 2014 and 2018. The size of this comet is estimated to be between 100 and 379 kilometers.
This comet orbits around the Sun with an orbital length of almost one light year. It is estimated that the comet, named 2014 UN271, will be the largest comet ever observed. In addition, this comet has traveled far beyond the solar system.
It is estimated that the last time this comet passed near Earth was about 3 million years ago. So it is estimated that this comet will not be seen again in a long time.
Comet UN271 2014’s orbit is very eccentric, with an estimate of 0.99948 as one of its discoverers put it.
In astronomical terms, “eccentricity” is a measure of the length of the orbit. An orbit that is perfectly spherical has an eccentricity of zero, while an orbit that is almost infinitely long in width has a value close to one. So, with these numbers you can see how long the comet’s orbit is.
Currently, the outer layer of 2014 UN271 is said to have begun to evaporate. However, the cause of the evaporation is still being sought, whether due to the closer to Saturn’s orbit or something else. Because, the distance of this comet from the Sun is considered too far.
Quotes IFL Science, astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Professor Gary Bernstein of the University of Pennsylvania are conducting more in-depth investigations to observe the comet’s movement.
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