Posted on 11/06/2006 6:18:26 PM PST by sig226
The Ghostly Tail of Comet SWAN
Credit & Copyright: Ray Gralak
Explanation: What causes the structure in Comet SWAN's tail? Comet SWAN, which unexpectedly flared up to naked-eye brightness last week, has been showing detail in its ion tail that might be described as ghostly. The ion tail is made of ionized gas, energized by ultraviolet light from the Sun and pushed outward by the solar wind. The solar wind itself is quite structured and sculpted by the Sun's complex and ever changing magnetic field. Following the wind, structure in Comet SWAN's tail can be seen to move outward from the Sun even alter its wavy appearance over time. The blue color of the ion tail is dominated by recombining carbon monoxide atoms. The color of the coma surrounding the head of the comet is tinged green by slight amounts of the molecule cyanogen. The above image was taken last week from California, USA. This week may be the best remaining chance for northern hemisphere observers to see the fading interplanetary snowball. SWAN has now passed both the Earth and the Sun and will fade as it moves away from the Earth and heads out into the vast space between the stars.
I hope the next time the dems take the house you will be posting Haleys return! Add me to your Ping list please.
Wow, I clicked over here thinking about outer space, but now all I can think about is voting...
Remember to Vote!! This election will be one of the most important in our time. You don't want my little friend up there running your government, do you?
Oustanding!
You're on.
Meeting at dawn tomorrow, are we? Vote early & often...
Im Anfang schuf Gott die Himmel ud die Erde. Und die Erde war wuest und leer und Finsternis war Ueber der Tiefe; und der Geist Gottes schwebte ueber den Wassern.
Und Gott sprach: Es werde Licht! Und es wurde Licht. Und Gott sah das Licht, dass es gut war; und Gott schied das Licht von der Finsternis.
Und Gott nannte das Licht Tag, und die Finsternis nannte er Nacht. Und es wurde Abend, and es wurde Morgen: ein Tag.
Genesis 1-5 (Elberfelder)
Oh I love this photo, thanks.
Bump - spectacular!
love this picture, thanks!
Voter #14 this morning!
I go in the afternoon. I have to go against traffic to get there in the morning, and besides, after 4:00 I can screw with the exit polls. They never take into account the fact that republicans have jobs.
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