Science is Fun Fridays!

Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. DePasquale

Meet Comet 2I/Borisov.

Hubble caught this image on October 12 - the speed and trajectory suggest this object has come from beyond our solar system, and is therefore the first confirmed interstellar comet.

Scientists hope to obtain "invaluable clues to the chemical composition, structure, and dust characteristics of planetary building blocks."

The comet was photographed 260 million miles from Earth.  It is following a hyperbolic path around the Sun, and is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun in December.  By the middle of 2020, it is expected to pass Jupiter on its way out of our solar system.


Crimean astronomer, Gennady Borisov, first spotted the comet in August.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Science is Fun Fridays!

Image
  Science is also serious. You may have heard that a case review is ongoing regarding the safety and science of an abortion pill, called mifepristone, that has been on the market since 2000. It's another attack from antiabortionists who want to restrict others from care and choice for themselves. Of course, the FDA already vetted the drug and numerous studies show the pill is safe and effective. "If courts can go against a whole tremendous amount of scientific evidence, that just doesn't seem right." More Info: Science News News and Politics
Read more

Vacation Open Thread

Image
 Off we go! To the left - we're heading towards Utah and then down to Bryce Canyon. I'll pop in when I can so please share whatever you'd like throughout the week - music, news, some crazy fashion, or just a cool photo.  😊 I'll be back on the 23rd!
Read more

Drinksgiving!

Image
 A newer tradition developed from the horrors of certain families, or maybe just the stress of all the preparation, but Hubby and I are ditching all that this year - we're going camping. Perhaps some brandy to help keep us warm.... And I came across a yummy martini recipe: you'll need a pumpkin liquor (the particular one was a whiskey), vanilla vodka, and Irish cream.  Shake 'em up and then add a pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Be safe, be fed, be thankful. All my love.
Read more