In this month's Science Diction, we look at the origins of the word 'comet.

Last week, a NASA mission paid a visit to comet Hartley 2, flying by at a distance of just a few hundred miles. We'll talk about what they learned in this audio lecture. [12:12]

The US spends $4 million each year to search for comets or asteroids that could threaten the planet. That's not enough to get the job done, according to a new report from the National Research Council.

We'll check in with researchers on the Stardust probe, which captured dust from comet Wild-2 in 2004.

Late Friday night, Earth will sail through debris left by the comet 209P/LINEAR. Scientists are calling the shower the Camelopardalids.

As Comet ISON skirts the sun, it could be destroyed or emerge, even more spectacular than before.