Dark Jupiter May Haunt Edge of Solar System
A dark Jupiter may haunt the edge of the solar system.
A dark Jupiter may haunt the edge of the solar system.
Tag: comets
Dark Jupiter May Haunt Edge of Solar System
A snowstorm in space
Almost literally, the probe Deep Impact flew through a snowstorm when it flew past Comet Hartley 2 on November 4. Below is one of the best pictures from the moment. More images can be found here. Key quote:
[The images] revealed a cometary snow storm created by carbon dioxide jets spewing out tons of golf-ball to basketball-sized fluffy ice particles from the peanut-shaped comet’s rocky ends. At the same time, a different process was causing water vapor to escape from the comet’s smooth mid-section. This information sheds new light on the nature of comets and even planets.
Note that all the close-up images taken by Deep Impact are going to be slightly out of focus, as the camera was launched with a defect.
The comet is carbonated
The comet is carbonated!
The comet is carbonated!
The first images of Deep Impact’s flyby of Comet Hartley 2
Here are the first images of Deep Impact’s flyby of Comet Hartley 2. The first is a montage, the sequence in time going clockwise. The second is a close-up of the second image.
The feature that I find most intriguing is the narrow smooth waist of the comet’s dogbone shape. The whole thing looks almost like a piece of taffy that’s being pulled apart.
More info on Deep Impact flyby of Comet Hartley 2
First close-up photos of Comet Hartley 2 reveal a space peanut.
First close-up photos of Comet Hartley 2 reveal a space peanut.
Deep Impact gets its first look at next comet target
Deep Impact gets its first look at its next target, Comet Hartley 2. The closest approach is set for November 4.
Deep Impact gets its first look at its next target, Comet Hartley 2. The closest approach is set for November 4.
Another Jupiter fireball
For the third time in the last year, Jupiter has been hit by a large previously unknown object.
For the third time in the last year, Jupiter has been hit by a large previously unknown object.
Comet hit Neptune 200 years ago
Astronomers have concluded that the high levels of carbon monoxide that they have detected in the upper layers of Neptune’s atmosphere are the leftover fingerprint of a cometary impact some 200 years ago.
Astronomers have concluded that the high levels of carbon monoxide that they have detected in the upper layers of Neptune’s atmosphere are the leftover fingerprint of a cometary impact some 200 years ago.