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May 11, 2006
Sky Watching
HERE THEY COME: More than 60 fragments of dying comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 are racing toward Earth. There's no danger of a collision. At closest approach on May 12th through 16th, the mini-comets will be 6 million miles away.
That is close enough, however, for a marvelous view through backyard telescopes. Many of the fragments are themselves crumbling, producing clouds of gas and dust mixed with boulder-sized debris. As some fragments fade, others brighten, surprising onlookers. It's an amazing display.
Of particular interest is fragment B, which has brightened 25-fold (3.5 magnitudes) since May 5th. "Fragment B is definitely in outburst," says astronomer Horace Smith, who took these pictures using a 24-inch telescope at Michigan State University:
The outburst probably signals a major break-up. As the comet-fragment falls apart, fresh veins of ice and dust are exposed to sunlight causing the ensemble to brighten. Whatever the cause, fragment B is now glowing like a 4th or 5th magnitude star, visible to the naked eye from rural areas: sky map.
Posted by sue at May 11, 2006 08:37 AM