Latest about Comets
The massive, strange Comet K2 is touring the solar system, surprising scientists as it goes
K2, the most pristine comet ever observed, makes a visit to Earth this week. Here is what scientists have learned about it since its surprising discovery.
Why is Comet K2 so hard to see given its huge size?
As a huge comet makes its closest approach to Earth on July 13, you might be curious why it's so hard to spot.
Megacomet K2 caught on camera cruising through celestial equator
A megacomet glows in the dark in this long-exposure image captured by an astrophotographer on June 18, before its closest approach to Earth.
Australia just flew its own 'vomit comet.' It's a big deal for zero-gravity space research
As Australia's space program begins to take off, parabolic flights like these will be in high demand.
Fragments of a dying comet might put on a spectacular show — or pass by without a trace
Occasionally, Earth runs through a particularly narrow, dense clump of debris, resulting in a meteor storm.
Debris from the most spectacular comet outburst ever could thrill skywatchers in August
Dust particles produced by the largest comet outburst ever detected will be visible even to amateur ground-based telescopes this summer, a study found.
Largest treasure trove of exocomets to date found in alien solar system
Thirty alien comets have been spotted transiting the young star Beta Pictoris, their long tails lighting up the skies of the fledgling planets forming there.
Comet Hale-Bopp: Facts about the bright and tragic comet
Reference Hale-Bopp was an unusually bright comet that flew close to Earth in 1997. Tragically, Hale-Bopp also influenced the Heaven's Gate cult's mass suicide.
