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What is the estimated size of C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein), the largest comet ever seen?

Question #150110. Asked by psnz.
Last updated Nov 09 2023.
Originally posted Nov 09 2023 8:54 PM.

BigTriviaDawg

Answer has 0 votes

BigTriviaDawg

7 year member
1007 replies avatar

Answer has 0 votes.

The nucleus of C/2014 UN271 is estimated to be about 80 miles across making it about 50 times larger than the average comet. By comparison, the famous Haley's Comet is about 7 miles in diameter. The comet is still on the edge of the solar system and will not have its closest approach until 2031 when it will be about a billion miles from the sun. So C/2014 UN271 will get about as close as Saturn to the Sun.

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/13/1092535922/hubble-telescope-comet-biggest-nasa

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hubble-space-telescope-spots-largest-comet-nucleus-ever-discovered-180979924/

Response last updated by BigTriviaDawg on Nov 09 2023.
Nov 09 2023, 8:59 PM

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What is the estimated size of C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein), the largest comet ever seen?

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