A mysterious volcanic comet known as 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has recently experienced its largest outburst in over three years, according to researchers. This city-size comet, spanning around 37 miles across, has unleashed four major eruptions in less than 48 hours, making it appear almost 300 times brighter than normal. The comet belongs to a rare group of cryovolcanic comets, which have icy shells filled with ice, dust, and gas. When the comet absorbs enough of the sun’s radiation, its frosty innards get superheated, causing the shell to crack and release its icy guts into space.
The latest outbursts from 29P were closely tracked by the British Astronomical Association (BAA), with the comet’s coma reflecting 289 times more light than its nucleus. This unexpected behavior adds to the mystery surrounding the comet’s eruptions, as they occur sporadically and at random intervals. Despite having a circular orbit around the sun, similar to Jupiter’s distance, 29P’s eruptions are irregular and challenging to predict.
Scientists have been monitoring 29P closely over the years, and the recent outbursts have raised questions about the factors influencing the comet’s explosive behavior. Unlike cryovolcanic comets that have highly elliptical orbits taking them to the outer solar system, 29P orbits the sun every 15 years with a consistent distance, making its eruptions even more puzzling.
One of the challenges researchers face is predicting when 29P will erupt, as most of its outbursts happen unexpectedly. In April 2023, scientists successfully forecasted an eruption from the comet, likened to a champagne bottle popping. However, the reasons behind these eruptions remain unknown, highlighting the complexity of studying celestial objects like 29P.
In comparison to comets that develop tails when close to the sun, 29P’s distant orbit means it never grows a tail. This unique characteristic sets it apart from other comets like Tshuminchan-ATLAS, which recently made a rare close approach to Earth, captivating skywatchers worldwide.
Overall, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann’s recent outbursts have provided valuable insights into the behavior of cryovolcanic comets and the challenges astronomers face in predicting their eruptions. As researchers continue to study this enigmatic comet, they hope to unravel the mysteries behind its irregular explosions and shed light on the complex nature of celestial bodies in our solar system.
