Astronomy Picture of the Day 3-26-02

NASA ^ | 3-26-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 March 26

Comet Ikeya-Zhang Over Tenerife
Credit & Copyright: Francisco A. Rodriguez Ramirez (AstroEduca)

Explanation: Comet Ikeya-Zhang has become bright enough to stand out in the night sky. Discovered February 1, the comet has now just rounded the Sun and has likely attained its peak brightness. The comet appears near the Sun and over the next week moves from the evening sky (just after sunset) to the morning sky (just before sunrise). Many observers report a current brightness approaching third magnitude. The comet is actually a giant snowball created during the early days of our Solar System and pushed out by the gravitational tugs by massive planets. Comet Ikeya-Zhang has been back to the inner Solar System at least once before in 1661. Above, the comet was photographed above Tenerife, one the Canary Islands, Spain.

[petuniasevan]

The bright "star" to the left of the comet is the planet Mars.

The comet's not too hard to find, especially with binoculars,
but it will disappear into the sunset glow in a few days.
Then Ikeya-Zhang will make its reappearance in the morning sky.

[petuniasevan]

APOD PING!

[Slip18]

Pinging back at you. This is such a wonderful area, petuniasevan!

[2Trievers]

Wonderful! May I make a wish on it?

[aomagrat]

Neat!

[Dawgsquat]

Check this one out. WOW! Get me a telescope fer Christmas?

[farmfriend]

Thanks for the flag.

[MozarkDawg]

Hmm ...

[Graewoulf]

Can y'all see this at night?

[SuziQ]

Check this one out. WOW! Get me a telescope fer Christmas? (Dawgsquat)
Hmmm.. (Miss.Delta Dawg)

Aww, come on Delta Dawg!

[2Trievers]

I see stars every night Woulfie, whether they are out or not ... am I doing something wrong?

[MozarkDawg]

Shhhhh ... it's nine months away, I don't want to blow a sooprize now!

Actually, I caught him admiring a beautiful telescope in the window of the Discovery Channel store about a month ago. Now to save the nickels and pennies!

[riley1992]

Would you mind adding me to your ping list?

[SuziQ]

Actually, I caught him admiring a beautiful telescope in the window of the Discovery Channel store about a month ago. Now to save the nickels and pennies!

OOOWEE, those are awesome! We're doing astronomy in homeschool year after next, and we're thinking St. Nick might just have to drop on down OUR chimney!!

[Graewoulf]

Do you see this in Seattle?

[PoisedWoman]

WE probably won't see this in Seattle. We see very little here because of cloud cover approximately 24/7. Maybe tonight, as it's miraculously sunny now. Thanks for reminder.

[Slip18]

Dang, we are usually clear here, but tonight it's going to rain.

Will you be able to see it, Grae?

[Graewoulf]

Yes, it is visible just above where the Sun sets, as soon as the night sky get just slightly dark. Be quick as in 45 minutes it is gone.