Comet Biela (3D/Biela)

A nineteenth-century comet, famous because it split in two before disappearing completely. The comet was originally discovered in 1772 by Montaigne of Limoges. When it was rediscovered by W. von Biela in 1826, the orbit was calculated accurately enough to identify its two previously recorded apparitions. The period was 6.6 years. At its 1846 return it was double. By 1852, the two components were separated by more than two million kilometres but following the same orbit. It was never seen again. A November meteor shower, the Andromedids, is associated with Biela's comet. Occasional brilliant displays have been seen both before and after the break-up of the comet.