Get ready, on Monday
March 18, 2016 5:20 PM Subscribe
One comet to swerve closer to Earth than any other comet in centuries An emerald-green comet will brush the Earth Monday, followed one day later by a kissing cousin that will swerve closer to the planet than any other comet in nearly 250 years.
The first member of the pair, known as comet 252P/LINEAR, is a bright green color from the carbon gas it’s puffing out, says the University of Maryland’s Matthew Knight. 252P will slide past Earth at a distance of roughly 3 million miles. That’s well beyond the moon but near enough to put 252P in the top 10 of closest-approaching comets.
Astronomers discovered the trailing member of the pair, P/2016 BA14, a few months ago. It was shrugged off as yet another asteroid, or space rock. Then astronomers peering through a telescope saw it had a tail – and was therefore a comet. That means BA14 and its larger companion “are among the closest comets to pass by Earth in recorded history,” says Knight, who took the first snapshot revealing BA14 is a comet. The only comet known to have skimmed past us at a smaller distance was Lexell’s Comet in 1770.
Scientists aren’t yet sure of the nature of the relationship between 252P and its hanger-on. Perhaps BA14 broke off 252P decades ago. Both comets could be pieces from an even bigger comet, or they could be unrelated. If the upcoming studies show they’re family.
Astronomers discovered the trailing member of the pair, P/2016 BA14, a few months ago. It was shrugged off as yet another asteroid, or space rock. Then astronomers peering through a telescope saw it had a tail – and was therefore a comet. That means BA14 and its larger companion “are among the closest comets to pass by Earth in recorded history,” says Knight, who took the first snapshot revealing BA14 is a comet. The only comet known to have skimmed past us at a smaller distance was Lexell’s Comet in 1770.
Scientists aren’t yet sure of the nature of the relationship between 252P and its hanger-on. Perhaps BA14 broke off 252P decades ago. Both comets could be pieces from an even bigger comet, or they could be unrelated. If the upcoming studies show they’re family.
OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE CUE THE APOCALYPSE MOVIES AND EVERYONE STAMPEDE FOR WATER!!!!!!!1111111111!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here comes Finn
posted by macrael at 5:41 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by macrael at 5:41 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
Damn. Apple pulls no punches when it comes to iPad announcements.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 5:45 PM on March 18, 2016 [17 favorites]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 5:45 PM on March 18, 2016 [17 favorites]
So… how are those plans for colonizing another planet coming?
posted by Going To Maine at 5:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Going To Maine at 5:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hey 252P, hate to be the one to break it to you but BA14 is just not that into you so quit stalking, man, it's not worth it.
posted by janey47 at 5:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by janey47 at 5:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
Surprises like this are just why we need to get astronomers out into space.
posted by sammyo at 6:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sammyo at 6:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Too bad we cannot see them with amateur grade telescopes.... hmmmm, maybe not, since that would mean that they were closer. But, wow, the universe is neat.
posted by mightshould at 6:06 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by mightshould at 6:06 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm ok with this flyby as long as 252P doesn't try to vaporize an LA koala or something.
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:07 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 6:07 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
These comets, they're such teases...
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:11 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:11 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
3 million miles is over twelve times the distance to the moon.
posted by AGameOfMoans at 6:13 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by AGameOfMoans at 6:13 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
I think we ought to get at least one emerald green sunset out of this deal, but NOOOO, we get nuttin'!
posted by BlueHorse at 6:17 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by BlueHorse at 6:17 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Readers averse to giving the Daily Mail pageviews may prefer alternate coverage from Sky & Telescope and Universe Today
posted by RogerB at 6:22 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by RogerB at 6:22 PM on March 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
*heads to the mall*
posted by jonmc at 6:38 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 6:38 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
So, what you're saying is that Monday and Tuesday will be totally overcast in my area.
Seriously, though, are these things going to be visible to the naked eye, or is it a telescope only viewing?
Hope HST can catch some sweet pics.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:42 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Seriously, though, are these things going to be visible to the naked eye, or is it a telescope only viewing?
Hope HST can catch some sweet pics.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:42 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
TFA says:
"An event like this isn't expected to occur again within our lifetime, but while the comets are considered close, you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse."
posted by eyesontheroad at 6:50 PM on March 18, 2016
"An event like this isn't expected to occur again within our lifetime, but while the comets are considered close, you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse."
posted by eyesontheroad at 6:50 PM on March 18, 2016
We love this stuff, so why isn't You, Me, and the Apocalypse on the Purple?
posted by Ruki at 6:51 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Ruki at 6:51 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Surprises like this are just why we need to get astronomers out into space.
Imagine how much could be accomplished with a permanent observatory on the moon. All the benefits of no atmospheric interference with all the benefits of being a manned observatory. Oh, and all the negatives of being in the most barren, remote, and inhospitable desert imaginable. But MAN! So cool! Screw Mars, let's go back to the moon.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
Imagine how much could be accomplished with a permanent observatory on the moon. All the benefits of no atmospheric interference with all the benefits of being a manned observatory. Oh, and all the negatives of being in the most barren, remote, and inhospitable desert imaginable. But MAN! So cool! Screw Mars, let's go back to the moon.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
So you're telling me a big old stone will be close to Earth this Monday? I'll be sure to get ready.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 6:53 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 6:53 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Actually, we are all going to die. But for most of us, probably, not on Monday.
posted by LeLiLo at 7:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
Actually, we are all going to die. But for most of us, probably, not on Monday.
posted by LeLiLo at 7:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [5 favorites]
An event like this isn't expected to occur again within our lifetime, but while the comets are considered close, you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse
That kind of sucks. I want to see the comets and I have Monday and Tuesday off, I could stay up all night.
posted by vrakatar at 7:20 PM on March 18, 2016
That kind of sucks. I want to see the comets and I have Monday and Tuesday off, I could stay up all night.
posted by vrakatar at 7:20 PM on March 18, 2016
The first and bigger of the two comets will be visible Monday to the naked eye in the southern hemisphere, as long as city lights are far away. Stargazers in the United States will probably need only binoculars to see the bigger comet in late March.
posted by shockingbluamp at 7:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by shockingbluamp at 7:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
eyesontheroad: "TFA says:
"An event like this isn't expected to occur again within our lifetime, but while the comets are considered close, you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse.""
Thanks for that. No idea how I missed it. Apologies to all for cluttering up the thread.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 8:24 PM on March 18, 2016
"An event like this isn't expected to occur again within our lifetime, but while the comets are considered close, you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse.""
Thanks for that. No idea how I missed it. Apologies to all for cluttering up the thread.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 8:24 PM on March 18, 2016
We love this stuff, so why isn't You, Me, and the Apocalypse on the Purple?
Good question, kinda makes me feel bad that I didn't do writeups when I still had Thursday nights off (now I do not). Didn't know anyone else was into it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Good question, kinda makes me feel bad that I didn't do writeups when I still had Thursday nights off (now I do not). Didn't know anyone else was into it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Green? Uh, oh.
Please to note comet viewing perfectly safe for human. Not to be afraid and to view celestial display with naked eye.
Also to be carefree in gathering around delightful free-standing blossoms at spring-time. Perfect for sun-bathing and picnics with family or acquaintances at spring-time in northern hemisphere. See delightful floral display? How pretty.
Again, perfectly safe for human.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:47 PM on March 18, 2016 [9 favorites]
Please to note comet viewing perfectly safe for human. Not to be afraid and to view celestial display with naked eye.
Also to be carefree in gathering around delightful free-standing blossoms at spring-time. Perfect for sun-bathing and picnics with family or acquaintances at spring-time in northern hemisphere. See delightful floral display? How pretty.
Again, perfectly safe for human.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:47 PM on March 18, 2016 [9 favorites]
too soon
posted by Fupped Duck at 12:37 AM on March 19, 2016
posted by Fupped Duck at 12:37 AM on March 19, 2016
Comets do not swerve.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:50 AM on March 19, 2016
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:50 AM on March 19, 2016
A phrase that sounds exactly as reassuring now as it did 66 million years ago.
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:29 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 1:29 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Monday evening would be the perfect occasion to host dinner and a screening of Coherence with a group of friends.
posted by prinado at 2:11 AM on March 19, 2016
posted by prinado at 2:11 AM on March 19, 2016
A phrase that sounds exactly as reassuring now as it did 66 million years ago.
Chicxulub did not swerve. It smacked straight the hell into us, as rocks eternally have since before we existed and will continue to do long after there's no us left.
But comets do not swerve.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:20 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Chicxulub did not swerve. It smacked straight the hell into us, as rocks eternally have since before we existed and will continue to do long after there's no us left.
But comets do not swerve.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:20 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
I know, I'm being pedantic. It amuses me sometimes.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:21 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:21 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse
Happily, it seems to be getting brighter.
posted by metaquarry at 6:19 AM on March 19, 2016
Happily, it seems to be getting brighter.
posted by metaquarry at 6:19 AM on March 19, 2016
Thanks for that. No idea how I missed it...
Possibly because it was on a Daily Mail web page??
TFA is not really easy to read.
posted by MtDewd at 7:37 AM on March 19, 2016
Possibly because it was on a Daily Mail web page??
TFA is not really easy to read.
posted by MtDewd at 7:37 AM on March 19, 2016
you will still need a professional-grade telescope to catch a glimpse
Actually 252P/LINEAR (the brighter of the two) is already at magnitude +6, according to the Sky & Telescope and Universe Today articles linked above. That puts it just at the edge of naked-eye visibility if you are a good dark site. And in easy binocular range.
If it stays that bright or brighter for the next week or so, those of us in the northern hemisphere should have some pretty easy views of it--at least with binoculars if not the naked eye. (Note, however, that predicting comet brightness even a week out is a dicey proposition--it could turn out to be brighter than this or dimmer . . . )
Here is a nice photo of 252P/LINEAR and the Large Magellanic Cloud from Astronomy Photo of the Day (APOD).
posted by flug at 7:48 AM on March 19, 2016
Actually 252P/LINEAR (the brighter of the two) is already at magnitude +6, according to the Sky & Telescope and Universe Today articles linked above. That puts it just at the edge of naked-eye visibility if you are a good dark site. And in easy binocular range.
If it stays that bright or brighter for the next week or so, those of us in the northern hemisphere should have some pretty easy views of it--at least with binoculars if not the naked eye. (Note, however, that predicting comet brightness even a week out is a dicey proposition--it could turn out to be brighter than this or dimmer . . . )
Here is a nice photo of 252P/LINEAR and the Large Magellanic Cloud from Astronomy Photo of the Day (APOD).
posted by flug at 7:48 AM on March 19, 2016
Right, I'm off to re-watch Night of the Comet and hope for nothing similar happening next week.
I live in the city, but sure do wish I was somewhere dark to catch a glimpse of this! Green comet sounds amazing.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:33 AM on March 19, 2016
I live in the city, but sure do wish I was somewhere dark to catch a glimpse of this! Green comet sounds amazing.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:33 AM on March 19, 2016
What is it which makes this more or less visible than, Hale-Bopp say?
Was it just that Hale-bopp was particularly shiny? Because if this is so much closer, you'd expect it to be more visible?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:57 AM on March 21, 2016
Was it just that Hale-bopp was particularly shiny? Because if this is so much closer, you'd expect it to be more visible?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:57 AM on March 21, 2016
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starting to plan my costume for when all the Irish get superpowers
believe me, I know how terrifying that sounds
posted by Halloween Jack at 5:32 PM on March 18, 2016 [14 favorites]