Comets - NASA Science
Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system composed of dust, rock, and ices. They range from a few miles to tens of miles wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet.
Comets: Facts - Science@NASA
Scientists have long wanted to study comets in some detail, tantalized by the few 1986 images of comet Halley's nucleus. NASA's Deep Space 1 spacecraft flew by comet Borrelly in 2001 and photographed its nucleus, which is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long.
Hubble Confirms Largest Comet Nucleus Ever Seen
Apr 12, 2022 · NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has determined the size of the largest icy comet nucleus ever seen by astronomers. The estimated diameter is approximately 80 miles across, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Asteroids, Comets & Meteors - NASA Science
Explore the 3D world of asteroids, comets, and NEOs. Learn about past and future missions, tracking and predicting orbits, and close approaches to Earth. NASA/JPL-Caltech
ESA, NASA Solar Observatory Discovers Its 5,000th Comet
On March 25, 2024, a citizen scientist in the Czech Republic spotted a comet in an image from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, which has now been confirmed to be the 5,000th comet discovered using SOHO data.
Solar System Exploration - NASA Science
The solar system has one star, eight planets, five dwarf planets, at least 290 moons, more than 1.3 million asteroids, and about 3,900 comets.
Comets Multimedia - Science@NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. About NASA's Mission; Join Us
Deep Impact (EPOXI) - NASA Science
Jan 12, 2005 · What was Deep Impact (EPOXI)? The primary mission of NASA’s Deep Impact was to probe beneath the surface of a comet. The spacecraft delivered a special impactor into the path of Tempel 1 to reveal never-before-seen materials and provide clues about the internal composition and structure of a comet. Nation United States of America (USA) […]
Asteroid and Comet Resources - Science@NASA
A comet is a chunk of ice, rock, and gas flying through space. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up. We can then see their long tails glow. In this activity, you'll make your own comet that can fly around the room!
Hubble Observes 1st Confirmed Interstellar Comet - Science@NASA
Oct 16, 2019 · NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has given astronomers their best look yet at an interstellar visitor — comet 2I/Borisov — whose speed and trajectory indicate it has come from beyond our solar system. This Hubble image, taken on Oct. 12, 2019, is the sharpest view of the comet to date. Hubble reveals a central concentration of […]