(ORDO NEWS) — Comet C/2017 K2 is approaching our planet, according to EarthSky. In size, it is comparable to Chicxulub (an asteroid that led to the death of dinosaurs).
The comet was first discovered in 2017 by the Pan-STARRS telescope, which is located in Hawaii. Then it flew between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus at a distance of 24 billion kilometers from the Sun.
In the same year, it was recorded by the Hubble telescope. The object had a dust tail 124,000 kilometers wide, almost the size of Jupiter.
It is stated that the comet will reach the closest point to the Earth on July 14, 2022, and the cosmic body will approach the Sun on December 19.
Scientists describe it as a huge snowball with a large core. Regarding its size, it is compared with Chogori (the second largest mountain in the world).
Astronomer Stephen Bellavia has already shared photos of C/2017 K2 taken in the New York area:
It is noted that the comet will be able to see the owners of telescopes. Until September 2022, it can be found in the Northern Hemisphere, after which residents of the Southern Hemisphere will be able to see it.
Bystanders will notice a diffuse and fuzzy patch of light. Whether the comet’s tail will be visible is not yet clear.
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