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Sequential Hubble Images of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, Fragment B (Annotated)

Annotated sequence of three Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys images of the disintegration of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3's fragment B. This fragment continues to break into smaller chunks, which are pushed down its tail. The smaller chunks have the lowest mass and so are accelerated away from the parent nucleus faster than the larger chunks. Some chunks seem to dissipate completely over the course of several days.

Release Date
April 27, 2006
Science Release
Hubble Provides Spectacular Detail of a Comet’s Breakup
Read the release
Credit
NASA, ESA and G. Bacon (STScI)

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