The giant-sized comet C/2017 K2 has begun its journey towards the center of the Solar System, as revealed by observers of the celestial vault through a spectacular image that shows a composition of two nights where the object can be seen. . According to estimates, the comet will be visible from Earth and will give us a night show during the summer of 2022.
This is not the first time that the comet has crossed near the Earth, it had previously been detected crossing the skies, the first time in 2017 when scientists said that it was the most distant active incoming comet that had been detected so far. that moment. But more recently it was also seen glowing in the dark of the night sky in early June. Although there is another opportunity to admire its beauty because according to astronomers’ calculations, the comet would reach its closest point to Earth on July 14, 2022.
What is Comet C/2017 K2 like?
Comets are mostly composed of rock and ice, their brightness is activated when they approach the Sun, however, the peculiarity of C/2017 K2 is that, although it was at a very distant distance from our star, it was already was active when it was discovered. At that time, the Space Telescope took a photograph of the comet where you can admire its blue glow while it was located in the outer solar system about 2.4 billion kilometers from the Sun.
Initial observations from the France-Hawaii Telescope (CFH) suggested that K2 had a core between 30 and 160 kilometers. However, Hubble later estimated a smaller core of about 18 kilometers or less. But that’s just the size of its nucleus, as the comet is named K2 for a reason.
Chogori or better known as K2, is the second highest mountain in the world with 8,611 meters high and it is in honor of this eight thousand that the comet received its name. In fact, the comet leaves K2 far below the size, as astronomers estimate that it has a total size of about 18 thousand meters, a colossal size. Although there is nothing to worry about because right now it is about 270 million kilometers from us and there is no risk to the Earth.
In addition to its spectacular size, observations have revealed that it has a huge cometary of 130 thousand kilometers. Cometary atmospheres or comas are enormous spheres of gases that surround comets and in the case of K2 it is almost as large as the planet Jupiter. And if it weren’t already amazing in itself, they have also detected that it has a very long tail that reaches 800 thousand kilometers long. It’s just huge!
How to see comet C/2017 K2?
Researchers have said that by its closest point to Earth, which will be on July 14, 2022, the comet will reach a luminosity magnitude of 7 or 8, which is too faint to capture with the naked eye, so it can only be observed. with telescopes, even with small telescopes and if the right conditions provide, with binoculars.
Although the best day to admire the comet is mid-July, during summer nights the comet can continue to be observed in the northern hemisphere until September. While in the southern hemisphere, the best date to capture it in the sky is from the month of September.
To observe the comet, you should look for skies without light pollution; a small telescope should be enough to observe the blurry patch of light around the comet. That is, it must be able to observe the cometary atmosphere in a diffuse manner surrounding the comet. But for those who venture out, long exposure images will reveal the comet in its maximum splendor accompanied by its long tail and coma.
To locate the comet in the celestial vault you only have to look for the constellation of Scorpio on the ecliptic (line marked in red) which stands out for its bright star Antares. You should then raise the target a little to the north to meet the Serpens constellation, as indicated in the image above. There you can locate comet K2, to point it with the telescope.
If you are a passionate cosmonaut and want to know the astronomical events that the Universe has in store for us month by month, we have prepared the one for 2022, where you can consult dates and all kinds of information necessary to enjoy cosmic events throughout the year.