Credit & Copyright: W. Keel (U. Alabama in
Tuscaloosa)
Explanation:
A famous star cluster and observatory highlight this picture of
Comet Hale-Bopp. Taken last week from the observatory summit of
Hawaii's
Mauna Kea
Volcano, the dome of the new 10-meter
Keck II
telescope appears silhouetted on the lower left.
Comet Hale-Bopp
is visible on the upper right, and the
Pleiades
star cluster is visible below the comet. Normally sunset and clouds
are to be avoided when making astronomical observations, but
Comet
Hale-Bopp is not a normal astronomical object. In fact, were it
cloudless, Professor Keel would be inside NASA's nearby
IRTF dome preparing to observe
something else.
Comet Hale-Bopp
continues to look impressive, although it is fading and
moving
towards the south.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: sunset - Comet Hale-Bopp
Publications with words: sunset - Comet Hale-Bopp
See also: