Harry is a U.K.-based senior staff writer at Live Science. He studied marine biology at the University of Exeter before training to become a journalist. He covers a wide range of topics including space exploration, planetary science, space weather, climate change, animal behavior, evolution and paleontology.
The explosive, city-size"devil comet" that is due to fly past Earth later this year has a hidden spiral of light surrounding its gigantic icy heart, new images show. This glowing green swirl would likely have remained undetected without a bit of photo wizardry.
12P hit the headlines in July last year, when astronomers watched it blow its top for the first time in 69 years. Since then it has continued to erupt fairly frequently. During the initial eruptions, the comet's expanded coma had an irregular shape, caused by a notch in the nucleus that blocked cryomagma outflow. This made the comet look like it had grown demonic horns, which earned the icy object its sinister nickname.
On March 9, astrophotographer Jan Erik Vallestad captured highly detailed new images of 12P and its lengthy tail from Norway, and after using specialized software to focus on the varying intensity of the coma's light, he was able to highlight a previously unseen spiral within its coma. Last month, grainy images of the comet also showed a"yin-yang" shape in the comet's coma, which in retrospect may have been the first evidence of this spiral. But at the time, this connection was not made.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Science Fiction is Learning About Exoplanets From ScienceSpace and astronomy news
Read more »
Permanent Researcher Positions for Materials Science - Japan (JP) job with National Institute for Materials ScienceOverview National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS, Tsukuba, Japan) invites international applications from researchers who can conduct research in materials science. NIMS employs outstanding scientists from various countries who have abundant knowledge and strong research skills in materials science.
Read more »
Southern University of Science and Technology: Advancing Science and Technology in ChinaSouthern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is a public research university in Shenzhen, China. It aims to be a globally-renowned university that excels in interdisciplinary research and contributes to the advancement of science and technology. SUSTech's School of Medicine, founded in 2018, focuses on integrating medicine with sciences, engineering, and humanities to train leading medical talents.
Read more »
Moon landing: 'Odysseus' touches down on lunar surfaceDenise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.
Read more »
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by fifth mass bleaching event in eight yearsDenise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.
Read more »
Wildfire seasons are starting earlier and getting longerDenise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.
Read more »