17P/Holmes

From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Jump to navigation Jump to search

17P/Holmes is a periodic comet.

2007 outburst

[edit]

Location of comet in 2007

[edit]
Motion viewed from Earth

The comet's retrograde path in Perseus during July 2007 – March 2008. (Dates given every 14 days)
Location of comet from Earth (45N, 8PM, Oct 30, 2007)

The comet looks like a bright star in early evening, in the constellation Perseus and above the bright star Capella. In binoculars or a small telescope, it resembles a round fuzzy ball.
Motion viewed from space
17P/Holmes is a periodic comet in an inclined and elliptical orbit between Mars and Jupiter.[1]
The comet was closest to the sun on May 4, 2007, and has been moving slowly away from the sun in an elliptical orbit.
[edit]
Motion with expanding dust cloud

A simulation showing the angular diameter of the expanding dust cloud for 120 days past the initial event on October 24. The surface brightness will continue to decrease over time.
Photo composite

A composite of Comet Holmes photos showing the comet's size and motion in the constellation Perseus from October 25, 2007 through March 9, 2008.
[edit]
[edit]
  1. Nasa 3D simulation of orbit for 17P/Holmes (Java Applet)
  2. Cloudbait Observatory Gallery - Comet Holmes archive copy at the Wayback Machine