[NAEP] Fwd: Comet Fragments Approaching Earth

[Dawn Wiseman]

>Space Weather News for May 10, 2006
>http://spaceweather.com
>
>HERE THEY COME: More than 60 fragments of dying comet 
>73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 are racing toward Earth. There's no 
>danger of a collision. At closest approach on May 12th through 16th, 
>the mini-comets will be 6 million miles away.
>
>That is close enough, however, for a marvelous view through backyard 
>telescopes.  Many of the fragments are themselves crumbling, 
>producing clouds of gas and dust mixed with boulder-sized debris. As 
>some fragments fade, others brighten, surprising onlookers. It's an 
>amazing display.
>
>Visit http://spaceweather.com for sky maps, updates and images from 
>around the world.
>