COMETS LINEAR AND SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN 3

In 1999, we again observed a comet that breaks into many pieces when passing at perihelion. A common phenomenon, now revealed through telescopes more and more powerful (at left an image of the VLT, European 8-meter telescope diameter).

In 2006, a new comet breaks, this time under the simple action of degassing, and in more than 60 pieces. It was observed (at left) in May 5, 2006, by the Spitzer infrared telescope in orbit.