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An image of the 2015 TB145 asteroid. The comet in the shape of a human skull will again fly close to Earth next November. His first close encounter with Earth was produced in 2015 on Halloween. ( Jet propulsion laboratory | The NASA )
A comet that, in some lights, looks like a human skull will pass right in front of Earth just in time for Halloween.
Scientists have observed space rocks from the infrared telescope in Hawaii. It should fly over the Earth safely on November 11th.
Halloween comet
The comet was first discovered in October 2015 by the Pan-Tilt Telescope and the Rapid Reaction System, or Pan-STARRS-1, which is part of the nearby object-finding program. Earth funded by NASA. The space rock called Asteroid 2015 TB145 is more likely a dead comet, which has already lost its volatile substances after several close encounters with the Sun.
Scientists have also found that it only reflects about 6% of the light, which is slightly higher than a typical comet that reflects about 3 to 5% of the light.
"This suggests that it could be of cometary origin – but since there is no obvious coma, the conclusion is that it is a comet dead, "said Vishnu Reddy, a researcher at the Planetary Science Institute. "
The 2015 TB145 asteroid will fly near Earth at a distance of about 25 million kilometers. Its first observed flyby took place on October 31, 2015, prompting NASA scientists to call it the "Great Pumpkin".
The first radar images captured by the Arecibo Observatory of the National Science Foundation in Puerto Rico revealed that the Halloween comet had a diameter of about 2,000 feet and was rotating every five hours.
It is a spherical shape that, under certain angles, strangely resembles a floating skull.
The dead comet that will make its way safely through the Earth on October 31 looks suspiciously like a skull: https://t.co/8bq4UBrFO9 #Happy Halloween pic.twitter.com/gICZTSLcZr – NASA (@NASA) October 30, 2015
Potentially dangerous?
NASA has classified the comet as "potentially dangerous" but, despite its appearance, it is unlikely to crash on the Earth and cause an apocalypse anytime soon. The space agency has proceeded with the classification because of the size of the 2015 TB145 asteroid and its proximity to the Earth, but scientists have already traced its trajectory in case it gets nearer dangerously.
"One of the guidelines of the Arecibo Observatory is to measure with great precision the distance to asteroids and their speed, which can be used to study the orbit of the planet. asteroid and predict its motion for hundreds of years, "assured Edgard Rivera-Valentine, a planetary. scientist at the Arecibo observatory, in 2015.
The comet will probably not approach Earth and pose a threat to this century. His next close flight is scheduled for 2088.
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