The mysterious and dazzling appearance of comets in our night skies has fascinated people for millennia. Comets have been seen as omens of doom and even as threats to human existence. Research on the nature of comets has revealed clues about the history and structure of the solar system and the origin of the water on the Moon (and possibly on Earth!). This exhibit coincides with the arrival of the bright comet ISON, and explores the historical and scientific importance of comets, and tells the story of the origin, composition, structure and fate of these messengers from the outer solar system.
Exhibit prepared by the Northeast Planetary Data Center at Brown University and the Museum of Natural History with support from the NASA RI Space Grant Consortium.
The Museum is open every day from 10:00am until 4:00pm, with last admission at 3:30pm. Museum admission is $2 (Free for children under 4 years old.) Some special programs have a separate admission. Planetarium Admission is $3 (No one under age 4 is permitted in the planetarium.) This includes entrance to the Museum and galleries.