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June 16 2009 05:14 UTC | Views: 444 | Comments: 1
Posted by: TonyF in Comets
Comet C/2006 W3 Christensen is now brighter than projected, several MPC reports have now reported the comets brightness from Mag 8.2 to 8.5. The tail is diffuse and not very well defined. The limited amount of green hue in the tail suggests that this comet is not rich in cyanogen (CN) and diatomic carbon (C2). Both of these gasses when sublimated fluoresce a green glow when excited by the photons in sunlight. This is called Resonance Fluorescence.
Comet C/2006 W3 Christensen orbit a near parabolic orbit, which means it does not orbit in our solar system but is rather it is an interstellar guest on a one way pass around the sun and then being slung back out. NASA SSD orbit This comet is either from Oort cloud or a deep space left over that has made its way into our solar system. Currently 3.1AU from the sun and as bright as Mag 8.5 this is bright for a the distance which leaves more clues that its surface has not been baked by repeated passes around the sun.
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