UMSL Students Observe Comet 161P Using NASA Telescope

A team of students and faculty conducted remote research on a Halley-type comet using an infrared facility in Hawaii.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space

A large astronomical telescope aimed at a faint comet in a clear, star-filled night sky at an observatory. — Students and faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis remotely operated the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii to analyze comet 161P. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of Missouri-St. Louis students and local high schoolers partnered with faculty to observe the Halley-type comet 161P. The group conducted remote research using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility located at the Mauna Kea Observatory.

Why it matters

Analyzing the chemical composition of comets helps researchers understand the building blocks of the early solar system. This research provides critical data on the nature of celestial objects from the outer reaches of space.

The team utilized high-resolution spectroscopy to study the comet at a near infrared range of 1 to 5 microns. Comet 161P possesses an orbital period of 21 years.

The players

University of Missouri-St. Louis

This public research university serves as the home institution for the project and hosts the laboratory used for remote observations.

Mohammad Saki

He serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor who co-directed the research project involving students and high school participants.

Erika Gibb

She is a Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who provided oversight and guidance for the comet observation research.

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility

Located at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, this facility is operated by NASA to provide astronomical data for planetary science.

The details

Operating remotely from a lab in 517 Benton Hall in St. Louis, the team managed the telescope's guider and spectrograph during nightly sessions. Researchers analyzed molecular emission lines from the comet's coma to determine its specific makeup.

Observation sessions occurred nightly from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, 2026.
Nightly research windows ran from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

The Big Picture

This project utilizes the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility to advance the study of cometary origins. The work follows a pattern set by previous research programs aimed at determining the chemical composition of solar system remnants.

Future research plans involve comparing the chemical data of 161P against Jupiter-family and Oort Cloud comets. This data helps establish a clearer timeline and physical profile for objects within our solar system.

The takeaway

This student-led initiative provides valuable real-world experience in remote astronomical observation and spectroscopy. Such projects demonstrate how accessible high-level research tools have become for university-level science students.