Comets
Latest about Comets
![the black of space is filled with stars of varying size and brightness. near the center, a larger green star is actually a comet and has a faint green tail to the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mnsKBq2L638cE8Q44EdGx6-320-80.jpg)
Can you capture the comet's tail? Scientists need help from astrophotographers
By Samantha Mathewson published
Researchers are calling on amateur astronomers to help photograph the broken tail of a comet on track to pass by Earth this spring.
![A medium-sized gray container in the shape of a top on the ground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YZZGXBZV9QRXubN43LfCj8-320-80.jpg)
It's been a 'wild' ride for the comet sampled by NASA's Stardust mission
By Keith Cooper published
Comet Wild 2 formed 4.5 billion years ago and is a relic of the birth of the solar system. In 2006, NASA brought pieces of it down to Earth.
![a bright comet streaks through the night sky, leaving a cloudy trail behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u53oPnvc7ayRNpFZyqSLcU-320-80.jpg)
Halley's Comet begins its 38-year journey back toward Earth tonight
By Joe Rao published
On Friday, Dec. 8, Halley's Comet reaches its farthest point from the sun and begins its journey back through the solar system.
![An illustration shows the rings from the surface of the ice-rock centaur Chiron.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7qtNqufWZnsoffEN2EtiPd-320-80.jpg)
Mighty morphin' Centaur rings — a distant icy object's rings are transforming
By Keith Cooper published
What is causing the structure of the dust to evolve, and where exactly the dust comes from, is still a mystery.
![Comet 12P Pons-Brook has undergone multiple outbursts in 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FJSwsvyUH9spEMqcb5nbjE-320-80.jpg)
'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks is approaching Earth. Why is it flaring up, 'horns' and all?
By Joe Rao published
The exact cause of 'Devil Comet' 12P/Pons-Brooks' flare-ups is unknown, though the best guess is that perhaps a fissure has developed on the comet's nucleus due to a build-up of gas.
![a six-panel view of a comet showing it getting brighter and dimmer over time. the dates november 3, november 4, november 8, november 10, november 11 and november 12 are underneath the six panels](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FJSwsvyUH9spEMqcb5nbjE-320-80.jpg)
Volcanic 'Devil Comet' erupts with its biggest blast yet as it races toward Earth
By Robert Lea published
An icy volcanic comet that is three times as large as Mount Everest, nicknamed the "Devil Comet," erupted again Nov. 14. This is the fourth explosive event for 12P/Pons-Brooks since July 2023.
![a comet flies through space above a large planet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Wmyx6edKnpZ6eoZd3BFki-320-80.jpg)
Comets that 'bounce' from planet to planet could spread life across the universe
By Megan I. Gannon published
Scientists suspect that comets may have delivered the key ingredients for life on Earth, and new research outlines how exoplanets could have received these deliveries, too.
![A blurry image of a comet that appears to have two horns](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8z7JJQXJi2Zb3NVrds7LrW-320-80.jpg)
Volcanic 'devil comet' resprouts its horns after erupting again
By Harry Baker published
The massive volcanic comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which grows giant horns when it erupts, has exploded for a third time in five months as it continues to race toward the sun.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!