Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/17/2007

Question


Hi Paul,

I have a rather odd question that is bugging me. Can you tell me if science has got star evolution correct?

Many seem to think that a mystery surrounds the brightening of Comet Holmes. I must admit, I find it hard to figure how the comet remains after what must have been an immense impact, and this is not the first time that it has brightened.

Could the Comet be brightening periodically, like the variable Mira (which is behaving like a comet) but glowing in the range of a cold plasma? See: http://www.ipp.mpg.de/ippcms/eng/presse/pi/05_06_pi.html

Thanks, David

Answer
Hi David

I understand your questions--a lot of us have questions about this whole thing.  But I don't think that it points to any errors in the theory of star evolution.  What makes Holmes brighten so quickly?  We don't really know.  It certainly doesn't have the mass to become a variable like Mira--in fact, it doesn't even have the mass to retain much in the way of gas at all.  Did it pass through an undiscovered energy belt?  Was the "impact" that caused its brightening a result of the comet passing through a cloud of particles, rather than a single big impact?  

Inquiring minds want to know---but until we have more information, I am afraid we are just going to have to wait and see which theory proves correct.

Paul Wagner