Photo: Massive sun-orbiting comet has tail both front and behind

Astronomers captured 'a stunning sequence of images' using NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory spacecraft.

The researchers used a SOHO instrument called the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment for the latest approach. This instrument provides long exposures and features a number of color filters that they utilize to gain an enhanced view of the comet's debris trail.

The LASCO instrument's orange filter picks up a narrow range of wavelengths. It is sensitive to sodium, which is typically emitted by near-sun comets when materials sublimate — meaning they are heated so rapidly they are converted from a solid or ice form directly into a gas.

Now that the researchers have an impressive sequence of images in their possession, they will continue to analyze 96P Machholz to learn more about its twin tails ahead of its following approach in June 2028.

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