The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory — known as the SohoSoho — now returning images of the Sun for over 25 years. And these days, he has witnessed a new significant event: the passage near our StarStar of one cometcomet.
Named 96P/Machholz, this comet was first spotted in 1986. It could be a interstellar objectinterstellar object. But the question is not yet settled. And his passage to his perihelionperihelion — the sound point orbitorbit closest to our SoleilSoleilless than 20 million kilometers from its surface – this Tuesday, January 31, was seen by the astronomersastronomers as an additional opportunity to learn more about its origin.
Additional ? Yes, because Soho has already witnessed five passages of 96P/Machholz near the Sun.
If you wonder why this comet shines so brightly, the answer probably lies in its position. Already, because it is close to our Sun. Three times more than MercureMercure. But also because it is almost between the Earth and our Star. As a result, the ice and dust forming the tail of 96P/Machholz disperse the lightlight of the Sun, increasing its brightnessbrightness.
