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

[mexicodoug]

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----- 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