3D/Biela facts for kids

Biela's Comet in February 1846, soon after it split into two pieces

Biela's Comet, also known as Comet Biela, was a special kind of comet called a periodic comet. This means it orbited the Sun regularly and came back into view every few years. It was first spotted in 1772 by two astronomers, Montaigne and Messier. Later, in 1826, another astronomer named Wilhelm von Biela figured out that it was the same comet returning, which is why it's named after him.

What Happened to Biela's Comet?

This comet is famous because it did something amazing and sad: it split into two pieces! After 1852, no one ever saw Biela's Comet again. Scientists believe it completely broke apart and was destroyed.

The Comet Splits Up

In 1846, astronomers watched as Biela's Comet began to split. It looked like two separate comets traveling side-by-side. By 1852, when it was seen for the last time, the two pieces were even further apart.

From Comet to Meteor Shower

Even though the comet itself disappeared, parts of it seemed to survive for a while. These tiny pieces of dust and rock continued to travel along the comet's old path. When Earth passed through this path, these small bits burned up in our atmosphere, creating a beautiful meteor shower. This shower was called the Andromedids (or Bielids), named after the constellation Andromeda where the meteors seemed to come from. The Andromedid meteor shower was quite strong in the late 1800s, especially in 1872 and 1885, but it has almost disappeared now.

Images for kids

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  The two parts of Biela's Comet in 1852, drawn by Secchi.

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  The Andromedid meteors seen on the night of November 27, 1872.

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  An 1877 newspaper picture from Chile, showing worries about Earth hitting Comet Biela.