<p>A high-resolution (but out-of-focus) picture shows the flurry of particles around the nucleus of comet 103P/Hartley 2. NASA's Epoxi mission flew close to the nucleus earlier this month, snapping more than 32,000 images.<br><br>A new analysis of the pictures reveals that the comet is surrounded by a "snowstorm" of relatively large particles—some up to the size of basketballs, scientists say.<br><br><a id="acu9" title="Find out how scientists got a look at the snowstorm around comet Hartley 2 >>" href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/11/101118-science-space-comet-hartley-2-snow-ice-nasa/">Find out how scientists got a look at the snowstorm around comet Hartley 2 >></a></p>
Comet's Snowstorm
A high-resolution (but out-of-focus) picture shows the flurry of particles around the nucleus of comet 103P/Hartley 2. NASA's Epoxi mission flew close to the nucleus earlier this month, snapping more than 32,000 images.
A new analysis of the pictures reveals that the comet is surrounded by a "snowstorm" of relatively large particles—some up to the size of basketballs, scientists say.
Find out how scientists got a look at the snowstorm around comet Hartley 2 >>
New Comet Pictures: How Hartley 2 Creates "Snowstorm"
A detailed dive into NASA's pictures of comet Hartley 2 shows how the odd body's reservoir of dry ice drives a flurry of particles.