comet discovery

Comet discovery involves detecting and tracking celestial objects composed of ice, dust, and rock that originate from the outer solar system. Using telescopes and imaging technology, astronomers observe the night sky for moving objects that develop a bright nucleus and a glowing tail when they approach the Sun. Confirming a new comet requires observation over multiple nights to determine its orbit. Once identified, its position and trajectory are calculated to understand its orbit within the solar system. Advances in digital imaging and automated survey telescopes have significantly increased the rate of comet discovery in recent years.