Astronomers Discover Giant Comet Headed Toward The Sun - Here’s How Close It’ll Get To Earth

Cosmic Garden
Cosmic Garden
Hey there, fellow space enthusiasts! Have you heard about the jaw-dropping discovery of Comet Bernardinelli Bernstein? If not, y ...
Hey there, fellow space enthusiasts! Have you heard about the jaw-dropping discovery of Comet Bernardinelli Bernstein? If not, you're in for a treat! Join us as we embark on a thrilling journey through the cosmos and uncover the fascinating story behind this remarkable find.

Comet Bernardinelli Bernstein, also known as C.2014 U.N.271 or simply BB, was first spotted in November 2010, a staggering 3 billion miles away from the Sun, nearly the average distance to Neptune. This "megacomet" is the largest known Oort cloud comet, boasting a nucleus diameter of at least 75 miles, making it an astronomical wonder!

The incredible part is that this discovery was entirely serendipitous. Astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein were working on an algorithm-assisted search for trans Neptunian objects when they stumbled upon this comet. Neither of them were actively seeking comets at the time, which makes their find all the more astonishing.

The comet's enigmatic journey takes it through the Oort cloud, a vast and mysterious region surrounding our solar system. The Oort cloud is home to icy objects, including long-period comets like Bernardinelli Bernstein, with orbital periods spanning thousands or even millions of years.

In this video, we'll explore the remarkable archival images taken by the Dark Energy Survey at the Cerro Tololo Inter American Observatory in Chile, which led to the discovery of Comet Bernardinelli Bernstein. We'll dive into the impressive scientific backgrounds of Bernardinelli and Bernstein and learn how their expertise in different fields played a crucial role in this historic revelation.

As this colossal comet approaches the Sun, it's expected to reach its perihelion, the closest point in its orbit, just outside of Saturn's orbit in January 2031. While it won't be visible to the naked eye, astronomers are eager to study this celestial giant and gather unprecedented insights into cometary behavior and the mysteries of the Oort cloud.

Join us in celebrating this monumental discovery and let's marvel at the wonders of our universe together. Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below and hit that subscribe button to stay updated with more awe-inspiring videos about the cosmos. Turn on the notification bell, so you never miss a moment of cosmic exploration. See you in the next video!

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