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A huge comet makes its closest approach to Earth today. Here's how to watch it live.
Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), also known as K2, is making its closest approach to Earth on July 14. The Virtual Telescope Project is hosting a live webcast online for viewers to track the distant comet
Science & Tech
One of the farthest active comets ever spotted makes its closest approach to Earth today, July 14, and you can catch the action live online.
Comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), called K2 for short, is finally making its way into view of Earth after the first spotted by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (PanSTARRS) in the outer reaches of the solar system in 2017. At the time, K2 was considered the farthest active comet ever spotted, although it was surpassed by a distant megacomet named Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein last year. K2 makes its closest approach to our planet on July 14, passing 168 million miles (270 million kilometers) from Earth (beyond the orbit of Mars).
Viewers will be able to watch the comet's passage online by tuning into the Virtual Telescope Project's live webcast, beginning at 6:15 p.m. (2215 GMT) on July 14. You'll also be able to watch on Space.com, courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project.