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Credit & Copyright: Jimmy Westlake
(Colorado
Mountain College)
Explanation:
On May 5th, while scanning western skies after sunset,
astronomer Jimmy Westlake was glad to spot a
visitor from
the outer solar system,
Comet NEAT, with his own eyes.
Taken with a normal lens, the picture records
his memorable view
of comet,
clouds, and Colorado Rocky Mountains against a
backdrop of many faint stars (most not visible to the unaided eye)
and one very bright one.
In the three minute time exposure, the comet is seen as
a fuzzy greenish smudge left of center,
with brilliant Sirius, alpha star of the constellation
Canis Major,
just above the low cloud bank on the right.
Comet NEAT (C/2001 Q4) is now near its closest aproach to
planet Earth and tonight will lie well above bright Sirius.
Look for the comet
- the third naked-eye comet in
as many weeks - after sunset in clear, dark, western skies.
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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 NEAT - Sirius
Publications with words: Comet NEAT - Sirius
See also: