Massive Megacomet Erupts While Racing Through Solar System

Quick Summary

• Comet Details: C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein), discovered in 2021, is the largest known comet. It measures approximately 140 kilometers (87 miles) across-far larger than typical comets.
• Trajectory and Origin: The comet’s orbit extends into the Oort Cloud, a region at the solar system’s outer boundary. It will reach its closest approach to Saturn’s orbit in 2031 before returning outward.
• Carbon Monoxide detection: Observations using ALMA confirmed jets of carbon monoxide venting from the comet’s surface, driven by localized heating as it nears the sun.
• Significance of Findings: Carbon monoxide detection provides valuable insights into the origins and composition of this megacomet and its behaviour under distant sunlight exposure.
• Continuing Study: Future observations may reveal additional sublimation activity from other volatile compounds like methane and hydrogen sulfide. Instruments such as Vera C. Rubin Observatory will provide further data on megacomet activities.

!Read More