Hubble observations confirmed that the cometC/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is particularly large. But she is not directed towards the earth and does not represent a risk for us.
Yes, C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is indeed the biggest comet ever observed, but no, it does not directed [pas] to earth “. NASA confirmed, thanks to observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the imposing size of the nucleus of this comet on April 12, 2022. But it would be wrong to think that the celestial object is heading straight for our planet, and that it would represent any danger to us.
With an estimated diameter of about 130 kilometers, the nucleus of this comet is about 50 times larger than that of most other known comets. The object’s mass, NASA adds, is 100,000 times greater than that of a typical comet, which would be found closer to the Sun.
The comet will approach at the level of the orbit of… Saturn
Indeed, C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) is advancing towards the star of the solar system. ” But do not worry. It will never approach within a billion kilometers of the Sun., which is slightly further than the distance from the planet Saturn. And it won’t be before 2031 “, reassures the space agency.
This passage as close as possible to the Sun for the comet (we also speak of perihelion) is therefore not for now, and above all it does not endanger humanity in any way. On the contrary, it is good news for astronomers, who will be able to take advantage of it to observe it! However, given this great distance,C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) will probably not be very bright: it will be necessary to rely on powerful observatories, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, to monitor its passage.
This comet was first seen in November 2010, when it was around the middle distance between the Sun and Neptune. Scientists were surprised by its already significant activity, so far from the Sun. That’s how they suspected she might be quite big. The images taken with the Hubble telescope on January 8, 2022 have made it possible to learn more.
As for the origin ofC/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein), it seems that the comet originated from the Oort cloud. This gigantic reservoir, located well beyond the orbits of the planets, would contain a high concentration of cometary nuclei.