Mega comet' 60 miles wide is about to fly through the solar system

[Fullduplexxx]

Mega comet’ 60 miles wide is about to fly through the solar system

A comet unlike any other in recorded history is on a trajectory to zip through the inner solar system in less than a decade, but like most space rocks that make the news, it isn’t anything to lose sleep over.

Comet 2014 UN271 was observed during a mission called the Dark Energy Survey back in 2014, but skywatchers didn’t realize that the data gathered was showing a comet until mid-June of this year.

This discovery could be one for the record books, leading some to call it a “mega comet.” It is estimated to be between 60 and 230 miles wide, which could make it the largest comet ever discovered, EarthSky said.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/comet-60-miles-wide-january-2031/969304

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Describing its orbit as 'inner solar system' is misleading...it actually doesn't get any closer

than Saturn per current projections, kind of pretty far out still.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. That's Around 840 Million Miles!

And that would be if the comet's path is creates a 90° angle connecting the 2 tangent lines.
That's most definitely not the inner solar system!
Your use of "misleading" is most appropriate, and quite generous!

[brush]

8. I guess inner solar system would be Mars on in. Jupiter and Saturn mid?

[ProfessorGAC]

11. That's How I Learned It

The Inner solar system is the region inside the asteroid belt.
The gas planets are mid, and the ice planets are outer.
And, we lost Pluto because better telescopes revealed sizeable objects in its orbital path.
A planetoid that hasn't cleared its path of debris is not a planet. (Clearing the path is the 3rd of 3 criteria for planet status.)
Out near Saturn is pretty far away from the asteroids.

[stillcool]

3. "is about to" had me about to fly through

the dining room to tell my astro-husband to get out there and collimate the scope. Thankfully I read another sentence before making an ass out of myself. Close call.

[roamer65]

4. Yeah had me hoping, too.

[dweller]

5. I think I'll go ahead

and lose sleep over it, thank you very much

✌🏻

[wiggs]

6. We gonna land on it? nt

[lpbk2713]

7. It seems like I've already seen that movie.

But thanks anyway.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. hope a pic is published.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

10. Hot fudge sundae will land on Tuesday -n/t

[Demovictory9]

12. interesting...kick