Have you ever gazed at the night sky and pondered the enigmatic objects that occasionally appear? Comets and asteroids are two types of celestial bodies that have fascinated humanity for ages. Although they may appear similar at first, they are fundamentally different with their own distinct features and origins.
SPACE India has provided over 7,000 participants across India with the opportunity to discover asteroids for the first time by Indian school children. The initiative has led to numerous achievements, including 2 numbered asteroids, 80 provisional discoveries, 2 special discoveries, 11,560 preliminary discoveries, 62 near-Earth object confirmations, and 1636 near-Earth object observations.
As part of an educational outreach initiative, SPACE carries out this campaign across India in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), which is led by Dr. Patrick Miller of Hardin Simmons University in the United States. Students receive specialized training in data analysis and software, gaining exclusive access to astronomy images and real-time research experiences.
What are Comets?
Comets are often referred to as “dirty snowballs” due to their composition, which includes a core of ice, dust, and rock. As they near the Sun, the heat causes the ice to turn into gas, creating a coma (a fuzzy atmosphere) and a long tail. This tail typically consists of two parts: a dust tail, formed by dust particles pushed away by sunlight, and a plasma tail, which is produced when the Sun’s ultraviolet rays ionise the gases in the coma.
What are Asteroids?
Asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that orbit the Sun. They are significantly smaller than planets and are commonly known as “space rocks.” Asteroids come in various sizes and compositions, ranging from small, irregularly shaped rocks to larger, spherical bodies. Many of them are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Key Differences Between Comets and Asteroids:
Although both comets and asteroids orbit the Sun, they have several important differences:
-> Composition: Comets mainly consist of ice, dust, and rock, while asteroids are primarily made of rock and metal.
-> Origin: Comets are thought to originate from the Oort Cloud, a spherical region of icy bodies surrounding the solar system. In contrast, asteroids are believed to be leftover materials from the solar system’s formation.
-> Appearance: Comets often appear as fuzzy objects with tails, whereas asteroids are usually seen as point-like objects.
Observing Comets and Asteroids:
For amateur astronomers, observing comets and asteroids can be a fulfilling experience. Some comets are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, while others may require telescopes or binoculars. Asteroids are generally harder to spot, as they tend to be faint and often need telescopes with larger apertures.
Famous Comets and Asteroids:
Many notable comets and asteroids have captured the interest of astronomers and the public throughout history. Some well-known examples include:
-> Comet Halley: This periodic comet has been observed for centuries and is renowned for its bright appearance.
-> Comet Shoemaker-> Levy 9: This comet famously collided with Jupiter in 1994, offering astronomers a unique chance to study a significant celestial event.
-> Asteroid 10779 Cubano: Named after a Cuban cigar brand, this asteroid is one of the few known to have a moon.
Upcoming Visible Comets and Asteroid Occultations:
Comets with an apparent magnitude of +4 or lower are usually visible to the naked eye without a telescope or binoculars.
The most anticipated comet of the year is certainly Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, which might reach naked-eye visibility by October 2024 if not it would peak at a magnitude of +4 to +5, making it visible through a telescope.
Comet C/2024 G3, which will possibly be visible in the daytime sky in January 2025.
Patroclus – Menoetius asteroid is predicted to occult a star on 7th October, 2024. The prediction is based on a Gaia eDR3 position for the star, corrected for parallax and proper motion, and the orbit estimate for Patroclus-Menoetius.
Eurybates asteroid similarly is predicted to occult a star on 25th October 2024. For observation and more information visit this link https://lucy.swri.edu/occ/predictions/
Comets and asteroids are intriguing celestial objects that continue to captivate both scientists and the general public. As our knowledge of these bodies expands, we can anticipate uncovering even more about their origins, compositions, and behaviours.
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