Mini-Comets Approaching Earth

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Comet 73P breaking up in 1995. Photo credit: Jim V. Scotti.
Comet 73P breaking up in 1995. Photo credit: Jim V. Scotti.

In 1995, Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 did something unexpected: it fell apart. For no apparent reason, the comet's nucleus split into at least three "mini-comets" flying single file through space. Astronomers watched with interest, but the view was blurry even through large telescopes. "73P" was a hundred and fifty million miles away. We're about to get a much closer look.


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