Comet PanSTARRS, Moon, and Venus
Explanation:
It is the object to the left of the big tree that's generating much recent excitement.
If you look closely, there you can see
Comet PanSTARRS, complete with
two tails.
During July, this comet has
increased markedly in brightness and has just
passed its closest approach to Earth.
The statuesque tree in the center is a
Norfolk Island Pine,
and to either side of this tree are
New Zealand Pohutukaw
trees.
Over the trees, far in the distance, are
bright Venus and an even brighter crescent
Moon.
If you look even more closely, you can find
Jupiter hidden in the branches of the pine.
The featured
image was taken a few days ago in
Fergusson Park,
New Zealand, looking over
Tauranga Harbour Inlet.
In the coming days and weeks,
Comet C/2014 Q1 (PANSTARRS)
will slowly move away from the Sun and the Earth,
drift deep into southern skies, and fade.
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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.
