Credit & Copyright: 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 Hale-Bopp - comet nucleus
Publications with words: Comet Hale-Bopp - comet nucleus
See also: