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Post by heregoes on Jul 10, 2020 20:00:38 GMT -6
A newly discovered comet is streaking past Earth, providing a stunning nighttime show after buzzing the sun and expanding its tail. Comet Neowise swept within Mercury's orbit a week ago. Its close proximity to the sun caused dust and gas to burn off its surface and create an even bigger debris tail. Now the comet is headed our way, with closest approach in two weeks. NASA's Neowise infrared space telescope discovered the comet in March. Scientists involved in the mission said the comet is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) across. Its nucleus is covered with sooty material dating back to the origin of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago. Comet Neowise soars in the horizon of the early morning sky in this view from the near the grand view lookout at the Colorado National Monument west of Grand Junction, Colo., Thursday, July 9, 2020. (Conrad Earnest via AP) The comet will be visible around the world until mid-August, when it heads back toward the outer solar system. While it's visible with the naked eye in dark skies with little or no light pollution, binoculars are needed to see the long tail, according to NASA. here
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Post by Belle on Jul 10, 2020 21:08:18 GMT -6
Things like this makes me wish I had a REALLY GOOD telescope!!
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Post by heregoes on Jul 11, 2020 7:22:23 GMT -6
Things like this makes me wish I had a REALLY GOOD telescope!! True. Apparently good binoculars help.
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Post by Belle on Jul 11, 2020 12:34:39 GMT -6
There's a man here in Batesville that has a huge observatory in his home. He sometimes lets people in. Maybe I'll give him a call.
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