Comet PTF14A-E is a celestial wonder that has been captivating astronomers since its discovery in 2014. The comet, officially known as C/2014 E2, was first spotted by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) survey in California. Since then, it has been observed by numerous telescopes around the world, including the Hubble Space Telescope.
Comet PTF14A-E is a long-period comet, meaning it takes hundreds of years to complete one orbit around the Sun. It is estimated to have an orbital period of around 1,000 years. This means that it will not be seen again for a very long time.
The comet is composed of a mixture of dust, ice, and gas. Its nucleus is estimated to be around 1.5 kilometers in diameter. As it approaches the Sun, the ice and gas in the comet’s nucleus begin to vaporize, creating a bright tail of dust and gas that can be seen from Earth.
The comet’s tail is made up of two distinct components. The first is a bright, curved dust tail that is composed of tiny dust particles that reflect sunlight. The second is a faint, straight gas tail that is composed of molecules of gas that are pushed away from the comet by the solar wind.
Comet PTF14A-E is an amazing sight to behold. It is a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the universe. It is also a reminder of the importance of studying comets, as they can provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of our Solar System.
FAQs
Q: What is Comet PTF14A-E?
A: Comet PTF14A-E is a long-period comet that was discovered in 2014. It is composed of a mixture of dust, ice, and gas, and its nucleus is estimated to be around 1.5 kilometers in diameter. As it approaches the Sun, the ice and gas in the comet’s nucleus begin to vaporize, creating a bright tail of dust and gas that can be seen from Earth.
Q: How long is its orbital period?
A: Comet PTF14A-E has an estimated orbital period of around 1,000 years. This means that it will not be seen again for a very long time.
Q: What does the comet’s tail look like?
A: The comet’s tail is made up of two distinct components. The first is a bright, curved dust tail that is composed of tiny dust particles that reflect sunlight. The second is a faint, straight gas tail that is composed of molecules of gas that are pushed away from the comet by the solar wind.
