Solar Hurricane Rips Off Comet's Tail

coondoggie writes to mention that NASA recently captured images of a solar hurricane ripping the tail off Encke's comet. "In a release, NASA said preliminary analysis suggests that the tail was ripped away when magnetic fields bumped together in an explosive process called "magnetic reconnection." Oppositely directed magnetic fields around the comet "bumped into each" by the magnetic fields in the hurricane. Suddenly, these fields linked together--they "reconnected"--releasing a burst of energy that tore off the comet's tail. A similar process takes place in Earth's magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms fueling, among other things, the Northern Lights, NASA said."

Tsk tsk tsk

[Bluesman]

That's very immature of the Sun. Fortunately, we know that the comet's tail will grow back, and it will be none the worse for wear.

Toonces' World of Nature

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWUAy8h1ACQ [youtube.com]

The real question...

[rez_rat]

is if it also tore the comet a new asshole!

S-

Re:Tsk tsk tsk

[Anonymous Coward]

In further news: The solar hurricane was named Lorena.

Re:Tsk tsk tsk

[MillionthMonkey]

Fortunately, we know that the comet's tail will grow back

Well, hey, hold on there... we first need to decide whether this comet tail should be rebuilt at all. If another solar hurricane is just going to come and wash the tail away, then it's a waste of valuable ice and dust to rebuild it and we should disincentivize comet tails from forming by saying, hey, comet tails, we're not bailing you out anymore! Stop mooching off the rest of the solar system and take some responsibility for yourselves!

Curiously, by accident or design it seems that most of the damage and disruption was confined to the ion tail, instead of the wealthier dust tail area... that's typical electromagnetic justice for you.

Slashdot party game

[greyhueofdoubt]

Just in time for Slashdot's birthday party: Rip the tail off the comet!