Search found 3 matches

by thekelbell
Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:09 pm
Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
Topic: APOD: Phobos: Moon over Mars (2024 Mar 22)
Replies: 8
Views: 1826

Re: APOD: Phobos: Moon over Mars (2024 Mar 22)

Are the bluish areas around Mars ice or an atmosphere?
by thekelbell
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
Topic: APOD: Comet Pons-Brooks' Swirling Coma (2024 Mar 18)
Replies: 8
Views: 952

Re: APOD: Comet Pons-Brooks' Swirling Coma (2024 Mar 18)

This comet has a very volatile surface and/or subsurface, resulting in large amounts of outgassing as it approaches the Sun. Most comets release their volatiles and dust much more slowly, and much more evenly over their surfaces, so the effects of their rotation aren't really visible. 12P appears t...
by thekelbell
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
Topic: APOD: Comet Pons-Brooks' Swirling Coma (2024 Mar 18)
Replies: 8
Views: 952

Re: APOD: Comet Pons-Brooks' Swirling Coma (2024 Mar 18)

Hello, I'm a newbie to astronomy in general, so apologies if I ask any silly questions. I'm wondering about why this comet in particular has a spiral shape. The APOD description said that it was caused by rotation of the comet--- but wouldn't all comets be rotating as they fly through space? Why is ...