NASA recorded the first explosion of a comet in the universe with the help of the TESS satellite, which was normally intended to detect planets that are at great distances from Earth so that researchers can analyze them closely. The explosion that was recorded by NASA, and that is visible below, is not one that destroys the comet, but one that releases various other particles on it into the universe.
NASA managed to record an explosion of dust, ice, and various gases when that comet got close enough to the telescope with which the Americans constantly scan the outer space for various planets. 46P/Wirtanen is the name of the comet for which this particle explosion was recorded, and NASA says that such a phenomenon is normally extremely difficult to achieve in the universe.
NASA records the FIRST EXPLOSION of a Comet in the Universe
NASA recorded this explosion at the end of last year, so it was analyzed for quite a long time by researchers before the decision was made that the images should be published for the whole world. NASA claims that thanks to TESS we have the most complete and detailed observation of an explosion of this kind, as they are common for comets that travel through space, but very difficult to record.
NASA had this comet as a high priority to analyze, and this because they had the rare opportunity to observe it very closely with the help of the powerful telescope on the TESS satellite. Those from NASA say that they do not know what exactly generates these visible explosions for comets that travel through the universe, but they are also influenced by the heat of the sun, or by the solar winds that hit the comets on their way through space.
