[MIham] Comet Holmes Bigger Than The Sun

[FSK]

Space Weather News for Nov. 15, 2007
http://spaceweather.com

GIANT COMET:  University of Hawaii astronomers have measured the diameter of
Comet 17P/Holmes: 1.4 million kilometers.  This makes the exploding comet
bigger than the sun and now the largest object in the solar system. Not
surprisingly, the comet is visible to the naked eye; with only a backyard
telescope you can watch its gigantic debris cloud expand from night to
night. Nov. 19th is an especially good night to look: Comet Holmes will
glide by Mirfak, the brightest star in the constellation Perseus, and appear
to swallow it.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for a sky map and images.

(Note: The sun remains by far the most massive object in the solar system.
Comet 17P/Holmes' diaphanous atmosphere of dust and gas, which is what the
astronomers measured, contains less mass than a typical asteroid. In spite
of its great size, Comet Holmes is a lightweight that won't be deflecting
the orbits of planets or causing any other such catastrophes.)

ROSETTA FLYBY:  On Nov. 13th, the European Space Agency's comet-chasing
Rosetta spacecraft buzzed Earth, passing only 5300 km above the southern
hemisphere.  During the high-speed gravity assist maneuver, Rosetta snapped
some fantastic pictures including close-up shots of Antarctic icescapes and
glittering views of city lights at night.  See the sights on
http://spaceweather.com

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