noirlab2119a.jpeg (IMAGE)

University of Maryland

noirlab2119a.jpeg

Caption

The Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein (BB), represented in this artist rendition as it might look in the outer Solar System, is estimated to be about 1000 times more massive than a typical comet. The largest comet discovered in modern times, it is among the most distant comets to be discovered with a coma, which means ice within the comet is vaporizing and forming an envelope of dust and vapor around the comet’s core. (Image Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Spaceengine) The Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein (BB), represented in this artist rendition as it might look in the outer Solar System, is estimated to be about 1000 times more massive than a typical comet. The largest comet discovered in modern times, it is among the most distant comets to be discovered with a coma, which means ice within the comet is vaporizing and forming an envelope of dust and vapor around the comet’s core.

Credit

(Image Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Spaceengine)

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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