Exploding Comet

Guide Note: The Exploding Comet is also known as Comet 17p/Holmes, which, for reasons not completely known, had a million fold increase in brightness on October 23, 2007, making it visible to the naked eye.

Fast Facts:

1. Scientists speculate that the comet has an unconventional nucleus which periodically exposes certain amounts of its icey core to the sun, causing the explosion
2. A smiliar event with Comet 17p/Holmes in 1892 was recorded by astronomer Edwin Holmes, whom the comet was named after
3. The increase in the comet's luminosity is expected to last weeks or possibly months

Also try: Comets

Mahalo Top 7

1. Astronomy Magazine: Enjoy Comet Holmes at its Best (November 2, 2007)
2. NASA.gov: Photo: Comet Holmes' Coma Expands (October 30, 2007)  
3. New Scientist: Dazzling Comet Outburst Continues to Mystify (November 5, 2007)
4. Astronomy Magazine: Naked-Eye Comet Bursts into View (October 24, 2007)
5. Planetary Society: Comet 17P/Holmes is Getting Bigger Every Day (October 30, 2007)
6. Astrosmart: Comet 17P/Holmes Photographic Finder Chart (October 30, 2007)
7. Wikipedia: Comet 17P/Holmes

Exploding Comet News

• Google News: Comet 17P/Holmes
• CNN: Comet surprise makes it visible to naked eye (November 5, 2007)
• Associated Press: Comet Burns Bright, Attracts Gazers (November 4, 2007)

Exploding Comet Photos and Video

• YouTube: Bright Comet 17P Holmes  
• NASA.gov: Photo: Comet Holmes' Coma Expands (October 30, 2007)
• Flickr: Photos: Comet 17P/Holmes (October 28, 2007)
• NASA.gov: Photo: Comet Holmes in Outburst (October 26, 2007)

Exploding Comet Blogs and Commentaries

• Astroblog: Comet 17P/Holmes update (October 27, 2007)
• Tom's Astronomy Blog: Photos: Comet 17P/Holmes (October 26, 2007)
• Google Blog Search: Comet 17p/Holmes

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