It’s official! The fastest Honda ever, motored through the galaxy this week.

But, it wasn’t the Insight, Civic or Accord. This Honda is about 1 km wide, casts a 69,000 km halo, orbits the sun and is millions of years old.

On Monday (15 August 2011), Comet Honda reached its closest orbital distance to earth of approximately 9 million kilometers – the closest comet since Comet Lexell in 1770 and Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock in 1983.

Comet Honda, or Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova as it’s known in the astronomical world, was initially visible from New Zealand throughout the night, setting only briefly during daylight hours. As it moves north, it will rise later each day becoming lost in the morning twilight by August 23.

Graeme Meyer of Honda New Zealand says this astronomical encounter has given staff and customers a bit of light relief.

“We like to go that extra mile for our customers but we don’t think we can keep up with this one. It must be due for its service”.

About Comet Honda
Discovered in 1948
Official Name: 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova
Coma Diameter: 1 km (0.6 miles)
Coma Halo: 69,000 km (43,000 miles)
Orbit: 5.25 years

ENDS

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