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Credit & Copyright: Gregg Ruppel
Explanation:
A good target for binoculars and small telescopes,
Comet
Garradd (C/2009 P1) now shines in planet Earth's
evening skies,
a steady performer but just
below naked-eye visibility.
Telescopic
images like this composite from October 15
can find the comet with a lovely green coma,
sporting multiple tails, and lingering against
a background of faint stars.
The field of view spans over 1 degree or about 2 full moons
within the southern boundaries of the constellation
Hercules.
Now around 16 light minutes
(2 astronomical units) away, P1 Garradd is an
intrinsically large comet, but
will never make a very close approach to Earth or the Sun
while sweeping
through the inner solar system.
As a result, the comet will likely stay a sight for
telescopic eyes only, moving slowly
through the sky
and remaining in Hercules during the coming months.
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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 - composite image - Hercules
Publications with words: comet - composite image - Hercules
See also:
- APOD: 2025 February 5 Á Comet G3 ATLAS Setting over a Chilean Hill
- APOD: 2025 February 2 Á Comet G3 ATLAS Disintegrates
- APOD: 2025 January 28 Á Comet G3 ATLAS over Uruguay
- APOD: 2025 January 26 Á The Many Tails of Comet G3 ATLAS
- Comet G3 ATLAS: a Tail and a Telescope
- APOD: 2025 January 21 Á Comet ATLAS over Brasilia
- APOD: 2025 January 20 Á Comet ATLAS Rounds the Sun