The appearance of a large sun-eating comet has been detected again. The large sun-eating comet is close to the solar system. Astronomers have previously seen the existence of this comet.
Comets are space rocks. This rock also has the nickname as a tail star because there is an elongated section that looks like a tail.
This time astronomers saw a comet of fantastic size. The comet is close to the Solar System and shows trails of dust, both behind and in front of the comet.
A chemical analysis that has occurred mentions that this comet has an unusual composition. That’s why this comet is so interesting.
Read Also: The Green Comet Phenomenon Will Occur After 50,000 Years
Seeing the Appearance of the Great Sun-Eating Comet
Astronomers have confirmed they have seen a large comet that has earned the nickname the ‘sun eater’. Today the comet is even closer to the Solar System.
Comets move and leave trails of dust. This giant tail star is about 6 kilometers wide and is known as 96P Machholz.
Actually comet 96P Machholz has long been an interesting object for astronomers. Especially after a chemical analysis said that the comet’s composition was unusual.
These short period comets have a low proportion of elements such as carbon. This certainly adds to the suspicion that Machholz 96P has a protruding tail and debris in addition to a unique trail of dust and ice fragments comet.
Comet 96P Machholz will expand as it passes the Sun and its material heats up from solid to gas.
Read Also: Why Do Comets Have Tails? Check out the Full Explanation!
Comet Observations
Astronomers observed the appearance of this massive sun-eating comet with NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.
The SOHO spacecraft detected the comet as it approached the Sun during Earth’s 5.3-year stellar orbit between January 29 and February 02, 2023.
SOHO showcases a stunning sequence that reveals a series of fragments, both on the back and front of the space snowball.
First Seen 2012
SOHO is actually no stranger to this comet. In 2012, sun probes spotted two small fragments that may have been detached from 96P Machholz.
This reinforces the theory that 96P Machholz has experienced events such as fragmentation in the past.
However, doctoral student Qicheng Zhang and SOHO principal investigator Karl Battams are instead impelled to prepare for the comet’s next closest approach in 2023.
Read Also: Giant Comet K2 Moves Closer to Earth, A Sign of Danger?
They did this by investigating past images of comet SOHO with new data processing developed by Zhan. With that it reveals comet fragments better in 2017 images.
In 2023, they observe the appearance of a large sun-eating comet using LASCO. These instruments are able to provide longer exposures and better color filters to make the appearance of extended debris trails more visible. (R10/HR-Online)
This post was last modified on Februari 10, 2023 6:08 PM
