Photo and Article by Ottawa Centre member Gary Boyle.

Since October 24, 2007 astronomers both amateur and professional have been following the stages of Comet Holmes.

What began as an faint mountain of ice registering a dismal magnitude 17.5 literally became an overnight sensation. Comet Holmes, for some reason, had gone into outburst. This is not, however, the first time this comet has let the sparks fly - so to speak.

Originally discovered by Mr. E. Holmes on the night of November 6, 1892, it flared up to 5th magnitude and this led to its discovery. A couple of months later, as it was fading, it took on a second minor burst which rose to 8th magnitude. Even though Comet Holmes had a seven-year return period, it has never again gone into outburst; not, that is, until October 24, 2007. Over a short 24-hour period, the comet flared up to achieve magnitude 2.5, or the same as the stars of the Big Dipper. This is a 15 magnitude jump or one million times brighter.

So what caused Comet Holmes to blow its top? Astronomers believe the comet possesses sink holes which eventually collapsed and released square kilometers of fresh ice from underground. It is not sure how long the spectacle in Perseus will continue, so head out on every clear night to observe and photograph this impressive image as it continues to grow and, eventually, to fade.

Page last modified: November 5, 2007