Comet Tempel 2, Dinosaur-Extinction-Sized, to Approach Earth in 2026

The comet 10P/Tempel 2 is set to make its closest approach to Earth on August 3, 2026, passing at a safe distance of about 62 million kilometers. This celestial event, occurring as the comet reaches its perihelion, offers scientists a valuable opportunity to study its trajectory and composition.

The comet's nucleus is estimated to be 10.6 kilometers wide, comparable in size to the asteroid believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. While this size might evoke dramatic comparisons, astronomers assure that the comet poses no threat of impact to Earth. Its passage is part of its regular cycle through the inner solar system, completing an orbit around the Sun every 5.36 years.

Observation of Tempel 2 will require optical aid, such as astronomical binoculars or small telescopes, as it will reach an apparent magnitude between 6 and 7. The best viewing conditions are expected in the first days of August from locations with clear skies. The comet, discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1873, belongs to the Jupiter family and is frequently studied due to its predictable orbit.

As Tempel 2 continues its journey, solar radiation will sublimate its ices, creating its characteristic greenish coma and dust tail. This process will occur as it approaches the star Fomalhaut in mid-October 2026, before it heads back into the outer solar system. The comet's predictable nature allows for ongoing analysis of its gases and dust, contributing to our understanding of cometary evolution.