Published 21:10 IST, June 23rd 2021

Mega comet 2014 UN271 heads towards the Sun; estimated to be between 100 & 370 kms wide

When it was discovered in 2014, the mega comet 2014 UN271 was approximately 29 AU from the sun. Since its discovery, the object has come much closer to the Sun.

Reported by: Shikhar Mehrotra
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IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK | Image: self
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A mega comet has been discovered in outer  which is heing into solar system. object, which is estimated to be about 100 to 370 kilometres in width, is termed 2014 UN271 and would drive by Sun in 2031, coming as close as orbit of Saturn. object was discovered through a Dark Energy Survey, which was conducted back in 2014. Keep reing to kw more about 2014 UN271, mega comet.

2014 UN271 to pass through Solar System 

mega comet is coming closer

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When it was discovered in 2014, mega comet was approximately 29 AU from sun. Since its discovery, object has come much closer to Sun. According to current data, object in more closer to sun than Neptune, clearly depicting its path through solar system. size of object being from 100 to 370 km wide, makes it too large to be called a comet. Hence, it is referred to as a mega comet. For reference, a big comet is 50 kilometres wide in size.

Discovered from data of Dark Energy Survey

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Dark Energy Survey was initiated to map objects in outer . It ran from 2014 to 2018 in an effort to map 1/8rth of entire sky. main objective of survey was to map millions of galaxies and hundreds of supervas for a better understanding of size, shape and expansion of never-ending universe. discovery of 2015 UN271 was anunced on June 19, 2021. 

t first time when an object from outer visited Solar System

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mega comet has a huge orbit that extends from planet Saturn to Oort Cloud, which is considered to be situated at beginning of interstellar . whole orbit spans for around 6,12,190 years. Just like any or typical comet, as 2014 UN271 reaches closer to sun, it would develop a tail and a coma ( result of Sun's riation). This is t first time when an object is visiting Solar System from interstellar . Ar object called 'Oumuamua' visited solar system a few years ago. most unique aspect of this object was that it did t develop a tail like or comets. 

IM: SHUTTERSTOCK 

21:10 IST, June 23rd 2021