Comets – Windows to the Universe

This is an image of Comet Kohoutek. Click on image for full size NASA

Not long ago, many people thought that comets were a sign that something bad was about to happen to them. People didn't understand how objects in the sky moved, so the sight of a comet must have been very disturbing. There are many historical records and works of art which record the appearance of comets and link them with terrible events such as wars or plagues.

Now we know that comets are lumps of ice and dust that periodically come into the center of the solar system from somewhere in its outer reaches, and that some comets make repeated trips. When comets get close enough to the Sun, heat makes them start to evaporate. Jets of gas and dust form long tails that we can see from Earth. These tails can sometimes be millions of miles long.

In 1985-1986, a spacecraft called Giotto visited the most famous comet, Halley, on Halley's most recent visit to the inner solar system. In 1994, comet Shoemaker-Levy became trapped by the gravity of Jupiter and plunged into Jupiter's atmosphere!

In 1996 and 1997 we saw comet Hyakutake, and comet Hale-Bopp. Hale-Bopp was one of the brightest comets ever seen from Earth. Comet Linear was discovered in 1999 and made its closest approach of the Sun in July 2000. The Stardust spacecraft flew by Comet Wild 2 in January 2004, collecting samples of the comet to return to Earth. The newest comet mission is Rosetta -- it will land on a comet named Churyumov-Gerasimenko!

Now scientists have identified a class of comets known as small comets (though they originally were just called snowballs from space!)

Would you like build your own custom comet? If you would, check out our interactive comet animation!

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Comets - Windows to the Universe

Workington Comets lose out as match abandoned

By John Walsh

Last updated at 07:56, Saturday, 30 August 2014

Plymouth 47 Workington Comets 37: Workingtons hectic weekend schedule got off on the wrong foot when they failed to pick up a point from the long trip to Devon.

Tony Jackson

The meeting ended a race early when heavy rain made it impossible to start a re-run of the final heat after Kyle Howarth had gone down on the second bend.

All four riders had gone back to the tapes but in worsening weather conditions it became impossible to restart and the sensible course was for referee Jim Lawrence to call it a day with the result to count.

It was a dismal end to a night which had started so brightly for the Comets.

They took a 5-1 in the first heat and they were in front until the eighth race when a heat maximum edged the Devils in front for the first time.

Plymouth held the advantage right through to the penultimate race when they had eked out a ten point lead, and the abandonment left the Comets with nothing to show for their efforts and a long drive home ahead of them.

They now have to pick themselves up for tonights double-header at Derwent Park when they host both Rye House and Scunthorpe with the action starting at 6.30pm.

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Workington Comets lose out as match abandoned

Workington Comets rely on guest riders

Published at 13:23, Friday, 04 July 2014

Workington Comets will again be forced to rely on guest riders for this weekends Premier League away double-header.

Comets go to the Oaktree Arena tonight (7.30pm start) to take on reigning league champions, Somerset Rebels, with three of their regular riders missing Ashley Morris and Kyle Howarth are both still injured while Ricky Wells is in Elite League action for Wolverhampton.

Morris and Howarth are also out for tomorrows trip to Rye House Rockets (7pm start) but Wells will be back.

Rider replacement will be used for Howarth while Kasper Lykke-Nielsen will ride in place of Morris, and Claus Vissing will fill in for Wells tonight.

A combination of re-scheduled and rained-off fixtures means that tonights clash with Somerset will be Comets first away fixture in the league since May 4 when they beat Newcastle 49-44.

And Comets have chosen No1 rider Josh Grajczonek and captain Rene Bach as the duo to fire them to glory in the Premier League Pairs on July 11 at Somerset.

The two riders will carry Comets hopes in the competition that Workington have excelled in since its formation in 1997.

Comets have won the Premier League Pairs a record six times and reached the semi-final in the last four years.

Workingtons chosen pairing for this years event in Somerset next Friday have plenty of experience in the contest.

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Workington Comets rely on guest riders

Comets avenge 2013 opening-game loss to Rockridge

EDGINGTON The one thorn in Newmans side a year ago was a loss to Rockridge.

Consider that thorn removed.

The Comets overcame a sluggish first-half performance to rally for a 20-14 victory over the Rockets on Friday night in a battle of state-ranked teams. Newman entered the game No. 1 in Class 2A, while Rockridge checked in at No. 3.

Newmans win helped take some of the sting away from a 21-9 loss to the Rockets in 2013, the only blemish in a 13-1, state championship campaign.

Most of us knew the feeling we had last year, junior running back Brady Rude said, and we were determined not to have that feeling again. Were not satisfied, though. Its on to Week 2.

Rude was involved in the games biggest plays. His 25-yard run was the lone offensive highlight in the first half for the Comets, and kept the team within 14-8 at the time.

A 39-yard TD run by Rude to open the second half drew the Comets even at 14-14.

Newman took the lead for good on its only completed pass of the night, a 12-yard strike from Logan Whitman to Dillan Heffelfinger with 3 minutes, 16 seconds left in the third quarter.

After that, it was a matter of hanging on. The Comets did that, largely because of Rude.

With 6:56 left to play, speedy Rockridge quarterback Luke Johnson got loose up the right sideline and appeared headed for the tying score. He was tracked down at the 12, however, by Rude after a 56-yard gain.

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Comets avenge 2013 opening-game loss to Rockridge

Rude leads Newman to victory over Rockridge

EDGINGTON, Ill. Luke Johnson was faster than 10 of the 11 Comets on the field.

But not Brady Rude.

Rude ran down the Rockridge quarterback after a 56-yard scamper that looked like it would yield a touchdown in the fourth quarter until the junior linebacker from Sterling Newman chased him down at the 12-yard line.

"I don't remember the whole run," Johnson said. "I knew when I got into the open field if there was one person that was going to catch me it was going to be Brady Rude."

Sterling Newman's defense held from there as the top-ranked and defending Class 2A state champion Comets held on to beat the third-ranked Rockets 20-14 Friday night in a Three Rivers cross-conference clash.

"I just do it for my team," Rude said. "Someone's always got to step up and cover for each other. We don't point any figures, we just get the job done. If someone misses, someone gets it, we just move on."

It was a small bit of revenge for the Comets, whose only loss last year came at the hands of the Rockets, 21-9.

Early it looked like there might be a repeat performance as the first half was dominated by the Rockets, who ran 31 plays and gained 200 total yards while holding Newman to just 14 plays and 33 yards.

Johnson, making his first start at quarterback, started his senior season with a bang, running up the middle for a 73-yard touchdown on the second play of the game.

"Our first half was fantastic, our offensive line absolutely dominated," Johnson said. "I think they took it as a challenge. They heard that Newman had the best defensive and offensive line and they took that to heart and they wanted to prove that they were the best offensive and defensive line."

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Rude leads Newman to victory over Rockridge

Four fixtures in 24 hours for Workington Comets

Last updated at 14:26, Friday, 29 August 2014

This weekend can change Workington Comets season, says owner Laura Morgan.

Comets face a gruelling four fixtures in under 48 hours and will want something from all of them to keep their play-off dream alive.

They ride away at Plymouth tonight, welcome Rye House and Scunthorpe tomorrow in a double-header and follow the latter for an away trip on Sunday.

Morgan said: Its a worry having double-headers, difficult for everybody including riders, mechanics and machinery. Financially they are not really good for the club either.

But its not impossible to reach the play-offs and it has been our aim this season. Weve not had consistent track time and have been a five-man team for quite some time.

Comets need to bounce back after a disappointing run of only one win in their last seven meetings, including a dismal trip to Ipswich last Thursday and an even more disappointing home defeat to Glasgow the following night.

Morgan said: I still cant believe what happened. It wasnt good enough. Even in the last heat the noise in the grandstand was incredible. The fans found it from somewhere and that is what it is all about.

But she is positive looking forward to the weekends fixtures.

She said: Historically we go well at Plymouth and I dont see why we cant get at least a point. Tomorrow I simply expect to win both meetings.

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Four fixtures in 24 hours for Workington Comets

Workington Comets told to produce strong weekend for fans

Published at 14:32, Friday, 18 July 2014

Workington Comets owner Laura Morgan believes her riders owe the supporters following the clubs shock exit from the League Cup semi-final.

The West Cumbrian side crashed out of the League Cup at home to Peterborough Panthers on Sunday 97-85 on aggregate.

The riders will be hoping to make amends during a triple-header of league fixtures this week.

They were due to travel away to Redcar Bears last night. Tonight they journey north to face unbeaten league leaders Edinburgh Monarchs (7.30pm start) and then tomorrow they entertain Somerset Rebels at Derwent Park (7pm start).

Morgan said: They are just going to have to buckle down and placate the disappointed supporters. I feel we owe them. The performance on Sunday was dreadful.

Josh Grajczonek is set to miss tomorrows fixture as he is riding for Poole against Eastbourne.

Meanwhile, Comets rider Ricky Wells has been called into the USA team for the upcoming World Cup.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk

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Workington Comets told to produce strong weekend for fans

Youth sport – cycle speedway: Comets' Goulden boy triumphs at nationals

POOLE Comets starlet Nathan Goulden shrugged off the effects of a foot injury to win the British Under-10 Championship held in Manchester, writes Gordon Day.

Heavy overnight rain made conditions tricky but the Poole Comets youngster produced a top- class performance to go unbeaten and take the title with a 20-point maximum.

Goulden won his opening race in fine style, making a perfect start to head off the challenge of Harry Stanbury (Exeter) and Charlie Wade (Hull).

However, his title challenge seemed to have hit the dust when he was involved in a dramatic crash with Oliver Wright (Kesgrave) on the pit turn.

There was a lengthy delay while Goulden received treatment for a foot injury, but the Poole racer eventually took his place at the restart and made a lightning getaway to hold off Wright.

Goulden kept the pressure on by securing victory in his next two races in fine style, but with Wright and Wade keeping up their winning ways, the title chase remained wide open.

Wright held off Wade to win heat 18 and finish with a 19-point haul, leaving Goulden with the task of winning his final race in order to be crowned champion.

The south coast ace showed no sign of nerves as he made a jet- propelled start and survived a determined four-lap challenge from Manchesters John White to take the title.

Result: Nathan Goulden (Poole) 20, Oliver Wright (Kesgrave) 19, Charlie Wade (Hull) 17, Ben Dickinson (Manchester) 17, Harry Stanbury (Exeter) 15, Archie Freeman (Northumbria) 14, Joe Quarmby (Manchester) 14, Oliver Reynolds (Kesgrave) 14, Daniel Miller (Bury) 12, Rory Hayward (Leicester) 12, John White (Manchester) 10, Charlie Dickinson (Manchester) 10, Charlie Burgess (Manchester) 8, Charlie Braybrook (Exeter) 7, Thom Deakin (Bury) 6, Duncan Whalley (Bury) 5.

Oddie finished with a 12-point total and was unlucky not to finish in the top three.

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Youth sport - cycle speedway: Comets' Goulden boy triumphs at nationals

New-look Comets confident they can build on success

WEST LIBERTY, Iowa The winds of change, they have been blowing for the West Liberty High School football team.

Gone from last season's Class 2A playoff team that finished 4-6 is a senior class that accounted for much of West Liberty's production, particularly on a school record-breaking offense where the Comets must replace 91 percent of their production.

Theres even some change on the coaching staff where Ben Slife, who has been the head coach of the Comets the past four seasons, has elevated Jason Iske, an alternative education teacher at WLHS, to co-head coach to help out when Slife is unable to be around due to his job in law enforcement and to have a head coach in the building.

Hes worked his tail off and really wants to be part of this thing and weve talked about it, said Slife, who added he was the one who reached out for help. Hes like my brother, so I trust him.

Iske, an eighth-year Comets coach who directed the varsity special teams last season, will also take charge of a West Liberty defense that struggled last season.

The Comets gave up an average of 36.6 points per game, which even its explosive offense couldnt compensate for at times, and Iske is clear on how they need to fix it.

Aggressiveness. Thats our No. 1 goal with defense is to be more aggressive, Iske said. That goes in all aspects, whether thats pursuing the run, trying to get turnovers, in our pass coverage."

Hell have a couple of returning starters senior defensive lineman John Jepson and senior linebacker Noel Palma to help rebuild the defense, in addition to the senior Sam Weaver, who had 35 tackles at linebacker last season, and senior Tanner Mueller and junior Cooper Koenig, who saw some time in the defensive backfield last season.

Theyre working to improve in several areas but Palma thinks there may be a simpler fix.

I just feel like we have to be mentally tough. That was a big part of it last year, I think, Palma said. We put the time and effort in the weight room so I feel like were stronger and better this year."

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New-look Comets confident they can build on success

Does Mars Have Phases Like the Moon? : Planets, Comets, Constellations & More – Video


Does Mars Have Phases Like the Moon? : Planets, Comets, Constellations More
Subscribe Now: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehoweducation Watch More: http://www.youtube.com/ehoweducation Mars does not have phases l...

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Does Mars Have Phases Like the Moon? : Planets, Comets, Constellations & More - Video

Sydney Comets v Hornsby Spiders – Under 18 Mens Div 1 – Round 2 – 2014 – ( Part 2 of 2 ) – Video


Sydney Comets v Hornsby Spiders - Under 18 Mens Div 1 - Round 2 - 2014 - ( Part 2 of 2 )
Game played at Hornsby Basketball Stadium on Sunday 11/05/14 at 11.30am. Sydney City Comets ( 66 ) v Hornsby Spiders ( 60 )

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Sydney Comets v Hornsby Spiders - Under 18 Mens Div 1 - Round 2 - 2014 - ( Part 2 of 2 ) - Video

DC Comets – Intense (Dert Remix) ft. Diana Theodora, Theory Hazit, Ozay Moore, Wordsworth – Video


DC Comets - Intense (Dert Remix) ft. Diana Theodora, Theory Hazit, Ozay Moore, Wordsworth
Official music video by DC Comets performing Intense (Dert Remix) feat. Theory Hazit, Diana Theodora, Wordsworth, and Ozay Moore. 2014 WetWork.

By: DCCometsVEVO

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DC Comets - Intense (Dert Remix) ft. Diana Theodora, Theory Hazit, Ozay Moore, Wordsworth - Video