The icy comet, described as about “Doomsday Comet”, makes its closest approach to Earth on Sunday (October 16, 2011).
Elenin, last comet to visit the inner solar system, will pass about 22 million kilometers (35000000 km) from Earth, more than 90 times the distance to the moon.
Comet Elenin named Russian amateur astronomer Leonid Elenin, who discovered it in December 2010.
Astronomers and other space enthusiasts have long pondered the question of whether Elenin could hit the ground or to conquer the Earth away from the polarity of the sun. In fact, sites dedicated to the comet has been established, the internet forums are full of proposals that NASA has not adequately address the potential risk posed by “icy dirtball”, as it is described in the Space Agency.
NASA scientists have, however, for the comet as “wimpy” compared to the Hale-Bopp (pictured above left), who flashed across our skies in 1997.
Astronomer Don Yeomans near-Earth Object program office is NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is said to have been erroneous speculation on the Internet that the comet Elenin Still other celestial bodies, may have an impact on the Earth and the external forces can lead to Elenin Making closer to the Earth.
“Everyone around the comet Elenin Still other celestial bodies, are insignificant, and the comet did not encounter a dark bodies, which may confuse its orbit, nor does it affect us in any way on this earth,” said Yeomans.
“Comet Elenin is not only far away, it is also on the small side for comets,” Yeomans said. “And comets are the most densely packed objects out there. They usually have a density as loosely packed icy dirt.”
Comet images captured by amateur astronomer Elenin, Michael Mattiazzo South Comets (video below), for several days in August 2011 showed what appeared to be the core without breaking apart and fading away as it approaches perihelion, point in its orbit, where it is closest to the sun. NASA says the most likely Elenin is now powered by comet debris and intact.
