NASA’s official logo (Image source: NASA)
NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) tracked a comet every four minutes from August 7 to October 5. This makes it possibly the longest any comet has been tracked at such a frequency. The data could help scientists understand more about the Sun’s effects on bodies in space.
PUNCH is a NASA mission that consists of a constellation of four small satellites. The mission is designed to observe the entire heliosphere to understand how the Sun’s corona (or outer atmosphere) becomes the solar wind. This provides a better understanding of solar wind and how it affects the solar system, including comets.
One comet that PUNCH recently imaged to achieve its aim is Comet 2025 R2 (SWAN). SWAN was first discovered by Ukrainian amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly on September 11. He spotted it in images taken by the SWAN (Solar Wind Anisotropies) instrument aboard the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft.
When scientists checked PUNCH for images of this same comet (SWAN), they found it. PUNCH had captured SWAN from as early as August 7. But it is not the capturing of SWAN that makes PUNCH’s observation special. It is the fact that PUNCH captured SWAN every four minutes from August 7 to October 5 — what could possibly be the longest sustained tracking of a comet at such a high observation rate.
From PUNCH’s observation, scientists were able to create a processed movie to show how SWAN moved across the sky. The observation reveals how the comet’s tail reacts to solar wind — growing, shrinking, and flickering. This could tell scientists more about solar wind and how it behaves and affects the space environment.
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Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 309 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.