Seven Jets from Comet Hale-Bopp
Explanation:
Comet
Hale-Bopp
is turning out to be quite unusual. One reason is the great amount
of jet activity at such a large distance from the
Sun.
In the
above false-color
image,
no less than seven jets can be seen emanating from
Hale-Bopp's
coma. As a
comet nears
the Sun,
it's surface warms causing
jets of
previously trapped gas and dust to stream away from the nucleus.
Astronomers continue to study Comet
Hale-Bopp's
unusual jet activity
and wonder how much about the early Solar System
Hale-Bopp
will teach them, and
how bright Hale-Bopp will ultimately become.
Tomorrow's picture: Supernova Remnant and Neutron
Star
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
