Comet Catalina Emerges . ... 7.12.2015 . ... Credit Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich Explanation: Comet Catalina is ready for its close-up. The giant snowball from the outer Solar System, known formally as C/2013 US10 (Catalina), rounded the Sun last month and is now headed for its closest approach to Earth in January. ... The featured image was taken last week from the Canary Islands, off the northwest coast of Africa. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...