A flare for pondering Halley's outburst. (unexpected brightening of Comet Halley)

From: Science News | Date: October 12, 1991 | Copyright information

Two astronomers speculate that shock waves from solar flares may have triggered Comet Halley's brief and unexpected outburst, first observed last February (SN: 3/2/91, p.133). The comet, normally a quiescent body of ice and dust as it exists the solar spotlight, suddenly appeared 300 times as bright as predicted some 2 million kilometers from the sun.

The researchers suggest that heightened solar activity just before and during the outburst may account fo Halley's brigh...

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