[meteorite-list] Fw: Comet 17P (Holmes) Visible Event !

From: mexicodoug <mexicodoug_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:58:13 -0500
Message-ID: <006e01c8164e$4de62e10$4001a8c0_at_MICASA>

Resend didn't go through the first time ...
----- Original Message -----
From: mexicodoug
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 9:28 AM
Subject: Comet 17P (Holmes) Visible Event !


Hi List,

In the ancient constellation of Perseus (Rising in the NE just after Sunset
and highest in the sky around 2-4 am), a fading comet has suddenly exploded
back into life. This comet, 17P Holmes, is suddenly visible to the naked
eye, although it had already swung by its perihelion months ago and was now
about 2.5 AU from the Sun. (and a little bit more than the Sun-Mars
distance from Earth). Initially mistaken for a companion to the Andromeda
Galaxy, Comet Holmes was discovered in 1892, and has had a lesser outburst
before...

Not bad for a Jupiter family (main belt asteroid like) comet estimated at
less than 3.5 Km in diameter.

What is happing aboard Comet Holmes? Why is it suddenly 100,000 times
brighter than it was before? Don't touch that dial and stay tuned for some
exciting scenes next week :-)

Happy Hunting,
Doug
Received on Wed 24 Oct 2007 10:58:13 AM PDT