Almost planet-sized Comet 2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein), due 2031

[2hats]

Nice target for an interplanetary mission and kind enough to provide sufficient heads up (currently 29AU out - roughly the minimum Earth-Neptune distance). Signs of coma/outgassing already detected. May well prove to be the largest ever recorded comet.




From the discovery team:

 

[Numbers]

That gif looks to be pretty close to the earth.

 

[platinumsage]

It won't even get closer than Jupiter, probably not visible with the naked eye, at least not this time around.

 

[Storm Fox]

Coming Soon to your nearest Woo vendor:
AGGGGHHHHHH it's Nibiru, it's the Endtimes, we all going to die, so give me all of your money.

 

[DotCommunist]

I hope they call it something easier to spell than the last visitor. oumuamua. had to look it up

 

[Steel Icarus]

That gif looks to be pretty close to the earth.

The thing about space is it's big

 

[Steel Icarus]

Also, diagrams of the Solar System are made so we can see the planets, so they're never to scale.

If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel - A tediously accurate map of the solar system

joshworth.com

 

[Numbers]

The thing about space is it's big

I can see Mars and Venus pretty clearly some times with the naked eye, this thing seems to cross our path closer than Mars does.

 

[Numbers]

Also, diagrams of the Solar System are made so we can see the planets, so they're never to scale.

If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel - A tediously accurate map of the solar system

joshworth.com

I've seen that before (was looking for it again recently so thanks), it's great.

 

[kalidarkone]

I think collision would be a great way to go!

 

[Nanker Phelge]

I like a date to work towards...

 

[2hats]

Now officially known as Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein. The above graphic shows (mainly) the outer solar system only (Mars is the small inner red orbit). As per the first post, this comet will come no closer to Earth than 9AU, ie the typical distance Saturn is from the Earth, reaching perihelion on January 23, 2031, at 10.95 AU.

If so inclined, you can explore the orbit here.

 

[DaveCinzano]

Belardinelli you say?

Be afraid...

 

[platinumsage]

I can see Mars and Venus pretty clearly some times with the naked eye, this thing seems to cross our path closer than Mars does.

Can you see Ceres with the naked eye? It's much bigger than this comet and located much nearer, between Mars and Jupiter.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Can you see Ceres with the naked eye? It's much bigger than this comet and located much nearer, between Mars and Jupiter.

It's still too small without binoculars

 

[Steel Icarus]

Uranus is huge and it was difficult to find with my telescope - all the nearer planets are easy to see with the naked eye as long as you know what you're looking at.

 

[Flavour]

That gif looks to be pretty close to the earth.

The yellow ring in that gif is Jupiter, the 4 inner planets are all so close together as to be indistinguishable

 

[NoXion]

Can you see Ceres with the naked eye? It's much bigger than this comet and located much nearer, between Mars and Jupiter.

Ceres never out-gasses significantly, though. As the comet moves closer to the sun, stuff like nitrogen and whatnot is going to start sublimating.

 

[Pickman's model]

That gif looks to be pretty close to the earth.

Time to revisit flash gordon

 

[Numbers]

The yellow ring in that gif is Jupiter, the 4 inner planets are all so close together as to be indistinguishable

I realise that now/after my post.
Shame as it would have been spectacular.

 

[DaveCinzano]

Uranus is huge

Come on, people, this has been up an hour and a half and nothing?! You trying to make everyone else think you're above what we all know you're thinking..?

 

[Ax^]

gonna give the planet X brigade a massive stiffy

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I think collision would be a great way to go!

Me too - may as well go out with a bang, and take the rest of the planet with you.

 

[Cid]

I hope they call it something easier to spell than the last visitor. oumuamua. had to look it up

Depends if it was spotted by the telescope some enterprising imperialists decided to build on occupied Hawaii.

 

[Cid]

I suppose getting a mission together in 10 years is pretty viable these days? Lander?

 

[CNT36]

Come on, people, this has been up an hour and a half and nothing?! You trying to make everyone else think you're above what we all know you're thinking..?

Grow up.

In other news that comet is going to get pretty close to smashing Uranus.