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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Комета 45P возвращется http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1373763/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich
Explanation:
An old comet has returned to the inner Solar System.
Not only is
Comet
45P/HondaMrkosPajduАkovА physically ancient,
it was first discovered 13 orbits ago in 1948.
Comet 45P spends most of its time out
near the orbit of
Jupiter
and last neared the
Sun in 2011.
Over the past few months, however,
Comet 45P's new sunward plummet has brightened it considerably.
Two days ago, the comet passed the closest part of its orbit to the Sun.
The comet is
currently
visible
with binoculars over the western horizon just after sunset, not far from the much
brighter planet Venus.
Pictured, Comet 45P was captured last week sporting a long
ion tail with impressive structure.
Comet 45P will pass relatively close to the Earth early next month.
APOD Lecture: Friday, Jan. 6,
Amateur Astronomers Association of New York City
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.