Comets - NASA Science
Dec 9, 2024 · 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 …
ESA, NASA Solar Observatory Discovers Its 5,000th Comet
Mar 27, 2024 · While scientists expected SOHO to serendipitously find some comets during its mission, the spacecraft’s ability to spot them has made it the most prolific comet-finder in history – discovering more than half of the comets known today.
1P/Halley - Science@NASA
Nov 3, 2024 · Halley is often called the most famous comet because it marked the first time astronomers understood comets could be repeat visitors to our night skies. Astronomers have now linked the comet's appearances to observations dating back more than 2,000 years.
Asteroids, Comet, and Meteors - Science@NASA
Feb 25, 2025 · 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
Comets: Facts - Science@NASA
Jul 25, 2024 · These historic comet annals have proven to be a valuable resource for later astronomers. We now know that comets are leftovers from the dawn of our solar system around 4.6 billion years ago, and consist mostly of ice coated with dark organic material. They have been referred to as "dirty snowballs."
ESA/NASA’s SOHO Spies Bright Comet Making Debut in Evening Sky
Oct 11, 2024 · The ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has captured images of the second-brightest comet to ever pass through its field of view during the spacecraft’s nearly 29-year career.
Comets Multimedia - Science@NASA
Oct 21, 2024 · The Sky’s Not the Limit: Testing Precision Landing Tech for Future Space Missions
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.
Asteroid and Comet Resources - Science@NASA
Mar 13, 2025 · 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!
NASA Telescopes Take a Close Look at the Brightest Comet of 2018
Dec 20, 2018 · NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope photographed comet 46P/Wirtanen on Dec. 13, when the comet was 7.4 million miles (12 million kilometers) from Earth. In this visible-light image, the comet’s nucleus is hidden in the center of a fuzzy glow from the comet’s coma.