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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Розетта и улетающая комета http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1349354/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Damian Peach/SEN
Explanation:
Not a bright comet,
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko now sweeps slowly through
planet Earth's predawn skies near the line-up of
planets along the ecliptic.
Still, this composite of telescopic images follows the
comet's progress as it moves away from the Sun
beyond
the orbit of Mars,
from late September (left) through late November (far right).
Its faint but extensive
coma and tails
are viewed against
the colorful background of stars near the eastern edge of
the constellation Leo.
A year ago, before its perihelion passage,
the comet was less active, though.
Then the Rosetta
mission's lander Philae made it's historic landing,
touching down
on the surface of the comet's nucleus.
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.