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Credit: A. Dimai (Col Druscie Obs.),
AAC
Explanation:
Comet Hale-Bopp became much brighter
than any surrounding stars.
It was seen even over
bright city lights.
Out away from city lights, however,
it put on quite a spectacular show.
Here
Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed
above Val Parola Pass in the
Dolomite mountains surrounding
Cortina d'Ampezzo,
Italy.
Comet Hale-Bopp's
blue ion tail was created when fast moving
particles from the
solar wind
struck expelled ions from the
comet's nucleus.
The white
dust tail is composed of larger particles
of
dust and ice
expelled by the nucleus that orbit behind the
comet.
Observations showed that Comet Hale-Bopp's nucleus spins
about once every 12 hours.
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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: comet nucleus - Comet Hale-Bopp
Publications with words: comet nucleus - Comet Hale-Bopp
See also: