Monday, March 28, 2011

September Brings A Sparkling Comet

This tiny dot is Comet Elenin, on its way to earth's orbit and the sun. You may've heard that it's due to pass earth by September, making its way at supersonic speeds through space, and easy-to-spot-with binocs then later with naked eyes. It'll have an especially glowing tail - even though it's just dirty ice and gas emissions. If it sounds special, t'is. It has to do with the sun-comet-earth alignment.

It's only a blob right now, BELOW IS THE LATEST SHOT.
Click on this LINK to see Elenin in its various stages, (and other beautiful comets) just scroll down almost to the bottom of the list and look for "C2010X1 (Elenin)" Look at them full-size! Great pictures of it changing. It's still more than 300 million miles from the sun, headed inbound - early in the game - the calculated orbit is certain to change in coming months but right now it appears that its perihelion (time closest to the sun) will happen well inside earth's orbit around September 5th.

You'll see it with the naked eye as its orbit changes while in our vicinity. However the best thing about Elenin is its gases and melting speckled ice (tail) because Sol, Elenin and Earth will be in alignment. We can expect a pretty decent show. Patience .....

9 comments:

Ana said...

You're back! YAY!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the show even if it WILL give me the creeps. Always good to have good solid information on what's going on up in the universe! :D

Amelia said...

Keep us posted as to exactly when we will be able to see it. I would like to see that.

Missy

Anonymous said...

I wrote it on my calendar. I don't want to miss it!

Big Mark 243 said...

Good looking out Cosmic Cathy! Talk about appointment viewing..! I will be gazing for the comet when she is coming round the sky...

natalie said...

hi Cathy!
thank you for this beautiful entry! woohoo! it is very interesting..my how do you get those cool shots?
hey..I think Facebook helps us connect with younger kids..but I wish that they had learned to love blogging as we do!Thank you so much for your great comments..I had some family issues and I did not know you had commented!
Please come back and comment on my post.
I want advice on how best to communicate with teens and seniors in a spiritual way...
love natalie
Lurkynat

ADB said...

Interesting, Kathy. Hope it gets brighter than the magnitude 6 currently forecast...

Anonymous said...

Patience...which is in such sort supply...but this sounds fascinating. I knew nothing about it. ~Mary

Herrad said...

Hi Cathy.
I just passed by to say hello.
I hope you are doing well.
Love Herrad