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