|
Credit & Copyright: Rolando Ligustri
(CARA Project,
CAST)
Explanation:
Heading for its closest approach to the Sun, or perihelion,
on December 19 comet
C/2017
K2 (PanSTARRS) remains a sight
for telescopic observers as it sweeps through planet Earth's skies
in the constellation Scorpius.
The comet currently
sports a greenish
coma, long whitish dust tail, and short ion tail in this
deep image from August 18.
The 2x3 degree wide field of view includes part of the dusty
nebula IC 4592 reflecting blue starlight.
Also known as the Blue Horsehead Nebula,
IC 4592 is about 400 light-years distant while the comet is just under
17 light-minutes away.
First spotted at a distance well beyond the orbit of Saturn
C/2017
K2
is on its maiden voyage to the inner solar system,
a pristine visitor from the
remote Oort
cloud.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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:
- 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