Scientists investigate change in activity of comet 17P/Holmes

(Phys.org)—Periodic comet 17P/Holmes is usually a very faint object. However, during its historic outburst in October 2007, when the comet's coma expanded to a diameter greater than that of the sun, it became visible to the naked eye and was temporarily the largest object in our solar system. This event has drawn the attention of astronomers worldwide trying to investigate the comet's uncertain and changing nature. 17P/Holmes has been intensively monitored during its perihelion passage in