When Comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina) emerged into our predawn sky in November, many hoped it would become visible to the eye. It did not do so, but Comet Catalina has still been a fascinating object, an icy visitor from the Oort comet cloud and a great target for photographers. So enjoy these images of this cosmic visitor, taken by members of the EarthSky community. And know that – before entering the realm of the planets – Comet Catalina is thought to have had an orbit around our sun of several million years. It rounded the sun on November 15, 2015 and began heading outward again. The trajectory of this visitor from the Oort cloud suggests it will be ejected from the solar system, and we will never see this comet again. Our thanks to all who posted!
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
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