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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Кома кометы Холмса расширяется http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1224173/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Eric Allen
Observatoire du CИgep de Trois-RiviХres
Explanation:
Go outside tonight and see
Comet Holmes.
No binoculars or telescopes are needed -- just
curiosity and a
sky map.
Last week,
Comet 17P/Holmes underwent an
unusual outburst that vaulted it unexpectedly from obscurity into
one of the brightest comets in recent years.
Sky enthusiasts
from the northern hemisphere have been following the
comet's
progress closely.
Pictured above
Quebec,
Canada, the
coma of
Comet Holmes has been noticeably expanding over the past few days.
In the
above
picture, an image of
Jupiter has been placed artificially nearby to
allow for a comparison of
angular sizes.
Jupiter has been scaled to the size it would appear at the current location of
Comet Holmes.
How Comet Holmes will further evolve is unknown,
with one possibility being that the expanding gas cloud that started from its
recent outburst will slowly disperse and fade.
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.