Comets

Comets are remnants from the early days of the solar system, billions of years ago. Primarily made of ice and dust, these "dirty snowballs" orbit the sun and in habit the Oort cloud, an area in the outskirts of the solar system beyond Pluto. As comets approach the inner solar system, solar wind from the sun can sweep dust back into a long tail. When these comets are close enough to Earth, they can appear as dazzling objects in the night sky. Space probes from Earth have visited several comets to learn more about their composition. Learn more about comets, icy wanderers in the solar system.

Latest Updates

James Webb Space Telescope has comets to catch when science begins

By Stefanie Waldek published 3 July 22

The James Webb Space Telescope's powerful infrared instruments will be trained on three types of comets, potentially providing insight into the solar system's early life.

The effects of Roe v. Wade reached into space.

The top space stories of the week!

By Elizabeth Howell published 2 July 22

The effect of Roe v. Wade in space, rocket launches will damage ozone, and NASA's solar forecast might be wrong.

A huge comet will make its closest approach to Earth in July. Here's how to watch it live.

By Samantha Mathewson published 1 July 22

One of the farthest active comets ever spotted will make its closest approach to Earth on July 14, and here's how you can catch the action live.

An image of comet C/2017 K2 PANSTARRS (K2) taken in June 2017 by the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Camera 3.

A huge comet will fly by Earth in July and you might be able to see it

By Elizabeth Howell published 22 June 22

A comet first spotted in the distance in 2017 might finally be within view soon of amateur astronomers.

On the left, comet 323P/SOHO observed by the Subaru Telescope in December 2020. On the right, an image of the comet taken in February by the Canada-France Telescope.

Telescopes watch the sun bake a comet to death

By Tereza Pultarova published 17 June 22

Telescopes watch as a comet disintegrates near the sun, gathering data that might help explain why some comets seem to disappear.

The Comet Interceptor mission will wait in the Lagrange Point 2 for a pristine yet unknown comet to arrive.

Europe will launch a 'lurking' probe in 2029 to watch for an interstellar comet

By Tereza Pultarova published 10 June 22

Europe's Comet Interceptor probe will lurk in space, waiting for a pristine interstellar comet to zoom by.

The dramatic outburst of Comet 17P/Holmes, seen in October 2007.

Watch the biggest-ever comet outburst spray dust across the cosmos

By Stephanie Pappas published 6 June 22

The dust trail from the largest comet outburst on record will be visible to amateur astronomers in late July 2022.

A tau Herculids meteor streaks above sandstone formations at the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada on May 30, 2022. The shooting star came from the shards of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann, or SW3.

New tau Herculid meteor shower drops bright fireballs, but no 'meteor storm,' for stargazers (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published 31 May 22

"Shooting stars" from a new meteor shower lit up the night sky in a dazzling display, even if it wasn't a "meteor storm" some stargazers hoped for.

Artist's illustration of a meteor shower.

Possible early tau Herculid meteors caught on camera

By Elizabeth Howell published 30 May 22

Reports are coming in from observers who caught a few early shooting stars.

Want to see the potential tau Herculids meteor shower? Here's what to expect, according to NASA.

By Elizabeth Howell published 30 May 22

If you're hoping to see the potential tau Herculids meteor shower, NASA advises you to check the weather and be ready for the unexpected.

Possible outburst of tau Herculids meteors tonight!

By Elizabeth Howell published 30 May 22

A potential meteor shower may emerge from Hercules tonight (May 31-31). Keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed.

These star trails are from the Eta Aquarids meteor shower of 2020.

A 'meteor storm' of 1,000 shooting stars per hour may light up the skies over North America this week

By Elizabeth Howell published 29 May 22

A painting of the Leonid meteor storm of 1833 over the Niagra Falls by Edmund Weiß in 1888.

Fragments of a dying comet might put on a spectacular show — or pass by without a trace

By Jonti Horner, Tanya Hill published 28 May 22

Occasionally, Earth runs through a particularly narrow, dense clump of debris, resulting in a meteor storm.

Astrophotographer Sean Parker produced this image of Quandrantid meteors over Tucson, Arizona on Jan. 3, 2013.

A potential new meteor shower from shattered comet has scientists excited

By Rahul Rao published 27 May 22

This weekend, Earthlings might be treated to the sight of a new meteor shower. Astronomers certainly hope it happens.

Potential new meteor shower is 'all or nothing event,' says NASA astronomer

By Elizabeth Howell published 25 May 22

A blast of new meteors may emerge during a tau Herculid meteor shower on May 30 and 31, but that's not a sure thing.

Observations of debris generated by the 2007 outburst of comet 17P/Holmes made in February 2015.

Debris from the most spectacular comet outburst ever could thrill skywatchers in August

By Tereza Pultarova published 24 May 22

Dust particles produced by the largest comet outburst ever detected will be visible even to amateur ground-based telescopes this summer, a study found.

A meteor shower outburst from a shattered comet may spawn new tau Herculids display on May 30

By Joe Rao published 22 May 22

The tau Herculids from comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann which began to fragment in 1995 may make an appearance on the night of May 30-31.

The moon sets after a partial lunar eclipse in November 2021.

May's lunar eclipse and a wild-card meteor shower may offer double spectacle

By Joe Rao published 2 May 22

May offers an unusual skywatching bounty: the possibility of two major celestial highlights occurring within the span of a single month.

An artist's impression of comets hurtling towards Beta Pictoris.

Largest treasure trove of exocomets to date found in alien solar system

By Keith Cooper published 28 April 22

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.