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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on December 19, 2011, 14:27

Title: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: sam on December 19, 2011, 14:27

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/pickoftheweek/old/03dec2011/

Quote

Comet Lovejoy skimmed across the Sun's edge about 140,000 km above the surface late Dec. 15 and early Dec. 16, 2011, furiously brightening and vaporizing as it approached the Sun. It is the brightest sungrazing comet that SOHO has ever seen, with a nucleus about twice as wide as a football field. It unexpectedly survived the pass and cruised out from behind the Sun some hours later. Comets are ancient balls of dust and ice.

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Clive on December 19, 2011, 20:33

I wonder how many people managed to actually observe it given its close proximity to the Sun?  It was expected to be incredibly bright. 

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: sam on December 20, 2011, 10:32

what the Sun?  :laugh:

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Rik on December 20, 2011, 11:38

No, the Daily Sport.  ;)

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Simon on December 20, 2011, 12:51

Is that still going?   :o

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Rik on December 20, 2011, 12:52

I wouldn't know.  :o:

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Simon on December 20, 2011, 12:59

 :-X

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Clive on December 20, 2011, 14:41

Quote from: sam on December 20, 2011, 10:32

what the Sun?  :laugh:

The bloody comet!   :laugh:

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: Clive on December 20, 2011, 22:14

It is!!  http://spaceweather.com/  To see a comet in twilight is pretty good going and shows just how bright it is! 

Title: Re: Comet Lovejoy Grazes the Sun (and survives)
Post by: sam on December 20, 2011, 23:06

an amazing shot - I haven't been on that website in ages!