Green Comet: A Surprise That Comes Every 5.25 Years is Zooming its Way Towards Earth at 51,000 MPH

By Aloha Rose Baldovino, | February 10, 2017

The "Green Comet" will not hit Earth but will be far away, about 32 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. (Ggreybeard/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The "Green Comet" will not hit Earth but will be far away, about 32 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. (Ggreybeard/CC BY-SA 4.0)

A 'Green Comet' named 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova is traveling towards planet Earth at 51,000 miles per hour. It is estimated that the comet will pass about 7.4 miles away from Earth. On Saturday morning, February 11 skywatchers will be its bizarre green color that will light up the sky with its maximum brightness at dawn.

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According to Sky and Telescope, the "Green Comet" will not hitting Earth but will be far away, about 32 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. The comet will be visible with the use of binoculars or with a small telescope. The comet is not expected to cause any harm to Earth.


According to Live Science, the "Green Comet" was discovered by three astronomers in 1948, who it was named after. The number 45P is based on its 45th return and the period when its orbit was computed.  The comet's proximity to Earth will make it look bright even it is quite small. Even without the aid of binoculars or telescopes, the comet can be visible to the naked eye on Saturday.

This comet, which passes near Earth every 5.25 years, will be speeding through the Hercules Constellation up in the Eastern sky. The comet will appear like a fuzzy greenish ball with a tail that is shaped like a fan. Flying away from the Sun, the "Green Comet" is now losing its star magic. At present, the comet has lost its tail, it has become larger but is more diffused.


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