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Massive Comet Larger than the Sun Now Visible to the Naked Eye

A comet that has delighted backyard astronomers in recent weeks after an unexpected eruption has now grown larger than the sun.

The sun remains by far the most massive object in the solar system, with an extended influence of particles that reaches all the planets. But the comparatively tiny Comet Holmes has released so much gas and dust that its extended atmosphere, or coma, is larger than the diameter of the sun. The comparison is clear in a new image.

"It continues to expand and is now the largest single object in the solar system," according to astronomers at the University of Hawaii. -- by Robert Roy Britt of Space.com (Full story here)

NOTE: The final pic is a sky map for anyone who wants to try and find the comet.


Click to view image: '120357-_1holmes_jewitt02.jpg'
Click to view image: '120357-_3holmes.jpg'
Click to view image: '120357-_2comethubble02.jpg'
Click to view image: '120357-_4holmesskymap.jpg'

Added: Nov-16-2007 
By: felix_leiter
In: Other
Tags: Comet Holmes, solar system, the sun, astronomy
Marked as: approved
Views: 13521 | Comments: 10 | Votes: 0 | Favorites: 2 | Shared: 2 | Updates: 0 | Times used in channels: 1
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  • The other night I saw a really really BRIGHT star. I wonder if this was it.

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    kalashnikov47 (27.22)

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  • I'm pretty sure I saw this comet a few weeks ago
    At first I thought it was a plane as it appeared to have a blue and red light on it, could easily have been due to atmospheric effects
    It's definitely in the right spot in the sky!
    It was between 5-6am that I saw, can't recall the date.. I think just before Hallowe'en :)
    Cool!

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    RottenLollipop (19.72)  

    (0)

  • Comment of user 'goodonpaper' has been deleted by moderator!

  • http://heavens-above.com

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    eagle attackk (87.88)

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  • We're all doomed! It looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    jivesoularry (63.90)  

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  • kalashnikov47: "The other night I saw a really really BRIGHT star. I wonder if this was it."
    I may have seen it too the other nite but i hope its not a dooms day one?

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    drinks2muchbeer (160.08)

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  • goodonpaper: "Larger than the sun.
    Visible with naked eye.

    "Here's a map so you can find it."

    >cough<"
    Its not the same distance away as the sun, its further away so yeah thats why the sky map is there....

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    Cboy66 (72.30)  

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  • jivesoularry: "We're all doomed! It looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."
    We better find the right religion quick!!

    Posted Nov-16-2007 By 
    funkalishous (44.50)

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  • The reason its getting brighter is because its actually the alien mothership- headed for earth! They are coming to take away all the ni66ers! They like the way they taste.

    Posted Nov-17-2007 By 
    bongabonga99 (119.84)  
    bongabonga99
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  • Yeah a few weeks ago I was outback and I saw a star so bright n so large I thought it might have been a comet also....hmm

    Posted Dec-11-2007 By 
    hightimez062002 (10.60)

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  • It's right on time. 2012 is just about here

    Posted Dec-11-2011 By 
    dverny (235.70)  

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