Comets
Latest about Comets
![A chalkboard background shows a drawing of a tblue/teal comet burning upward towared the right. In the to top right, a space.com 25 year anniversary logo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LwNTG62uFDLzFL7CYtrYAj-320-80.jpg)
How to make a comet
By Elizabeth Fernandez published
Meta description: Learn how to make your very own comet with these cool NASA experiments.
![a ball of grey boulders and rocks seen against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ThWMPASDNMXYUdGid9AjSJ-320-80.jpg)
'Dark comets' may have given Earth its water long ago
By Keith Cooper published
'Dark comets,' which have no visible tail, could also explain the strange behavior of the interstellar object 'Oumuamua.
![a fuzzy white orb leaves a tail behind it as it soars past background stars, which appear as streaks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VpGxnymLXkyjKPZSxsBrT4-320-80.jpg)
A comet approaching Earth could become brighter than the stars this fall
By Joe Rao published
By the end of this summer, we may have a good idea as to whether we'll have a bright naked-eye comet gracing our early autumn evening sky, known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS).
![a bright white streak in the night sky above the desert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o7TRZeqZXH8GiB9NjwL4Jk-320-80.jpg)
Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?
By Jonti Horner published
Perhaps one comet per year will approach the edge of naked-eye visibility.
![a bright dot leaves a hazy trail behind it as it flies in front of background stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/793Gur5TVvT66Y5L5xqgRN-320-80.jpg)
'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks reaches peak brightness tonight. Here's how to see it
By Samantha Mathewson published
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks visits the inner solar system every 71 years and will reach its closest to the sun on Sunday (April 21), appearing bright enough to possibly be seen by the naked eye.
![gif animation showing comet 12P/Pons-Brooks shining brightly near Jupiter in the video when a large cme eruption is released from the sun.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xxA2wgwWGRt6gJHompWrPB-320-80.gif)
Watch 'Devil Comet' approach the sun during explosive coronal mass ejection (video)
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
This NASA space-based observatory video shows 'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks passing past bright Jupiter while the sun explodes in the distance.
![Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with a glowing green nucleus and long tail streaking behind against a background of stars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/794J5tzHapsUF7Qmqc4DUe-320-80.jpg)
'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks is heading for the sun. Will it survive?
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks is hurtling toward the sun where it will make its closest approach on April 21. We take a look at whether this celestial vagabond will survive.
![A comet with a swirl of light around its head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zS3HeLhPL8cjcDiLRbDSsM-320-80.jpg)
A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse
By Samantha Mathewson published
An unusual "horned" comet is now visible in the night sky and may even make a rare appearance during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
![A bright orange circle covers almost the whole image, with a smaller disc in the middle. Out of the smaller disc protrude wisps of the Sun's atmosphere. To the upper right of the inner circle, an inset zooms in on a small square, with vertical lines surrounding a faint smudge.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZmAPaVEX2RhJUhAd6yjbPP-320-80.jpg)
Solar spacecraft 'SOHO' discovers its 5,000th comet
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory just hit a milestone with its 5,000th comet detection.
![A comet with a swirl of light around its head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zS3HeLhPL8cjcDiLRbDSsM-320-80.jpg)
Explosive, green 'devil comet' has hidden spiral swirling around its icy heart, photo trickery reveals
By Harry Baker published
New, specially edited photos show a previously unseen swirl of light surrounding the city-size comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which is currently racing toward the sun and will later zoom past Earth.
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