What is this on SECCHI?

It looks like something on the way to hit the sun but then bounce off?
I really don't think it is a lensflare

go here : Secchi

Telescope: HI1
Observatory: Secchi-A
Size: 1024x1024
Date : 20111210
Duration: 09

Submit

You can than try a different date, observatory

What is this?

That is comet Lovejoy, going around the sun. Look at the COR2 images.

Beat me to it.

Here we see the sungrazing comet known as Comet Lovejoy as it races in for its close encounter with the Sun on 15 December 2011, and as it miraculously comes back out again the next day. The long bright tail is thrown out by the solar wind at closest approach, and only the coma is initially visible after it re-emerges from behind the COR1 occulter. However, toward the end of the movie one can see the tail starting to reform.

Link

reply to post by Phage



Could you explain why this comet is not drawn into the sun by its gravity? It doesn't make sense to me, not saying you are wrong I just don't get how without external power it can escape the Suns pull

reply to post by PrinceDreamer

The comet was not drawn into the Sun because it was traveling very fast. The same reason satellites stay in orbit around the Earth.

It took 4 hours to circle the sun...this is pretty fast...
If you watch cor step by step this is insanely fast

Originally posted by PrinceDreamer
reply to post by Phage

 

Could you explain why this comet is not drawn into the sun by its gravity? It doesn't make sense to me, not saying you are wrong I just don't get how without external power it can escape the Suns pull

Simple answer:
"velocity":

It creates a precarious balance of forces. it's the same reason we aren't pulled off orbit straight into the center of the sun.

complete answer: Keplar and Newton: (but the math is beyond my mushy brain today...)
en.wikipedia.org...

Sorry "Phage" didn't mean to jump in front there..quick on the draw today.

reply to post by borutp

Yup.
Something like 1 million miles per hour at perihelion.

reply to post by Phage


Bout as fast as you on some of these threads Phage...lol