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Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich
Explanation:
An old comet has returned to the inner Solar System.
Not only is
Comet
45P/HondaMrkosPajduÀkovÀ 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
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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
Publications with words: comet
See also:
- Comet 13P Olbers
- APOD: 2024 June 4 Á Comet Pons Brooks Develops Opposing Tails
- APOD: 2024 April 17 Á Total Eclipse and Comets
- APOD: 2024 April 8 Á The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons Brooks
- Comet Pons-Brooks at Night
- APOD: 2024 March 18 Á Comet Pons Brooks Swirling Coma
- Comet 12P/Pons Brooks in Northern Spring