Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Tails of Comet Garradd

NASA ^ | October 20, 2011 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: A good target for binoculars and small telescopes, Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1) now shines in planet Earth's evening skies, a steady performer but just below naked-eye visibility. Telescopic images like this composite from October 15 can find the comet with a lovely green coma, sporting multiple tails, and lingering against a background of faint stars. The field of view spans over 1 degree or about 2 full moons within the southern boundaries of the constellation Hercules. Now around 16 light minutes (2 astronomical units) away, P1 Garradd is an intrinsically large comet, but will never make a very close approach to Earth or the Sun while sweeping through the inner solar system. As a result, the comet will likely stay a sight for telescopic eyes only, moving slowly through the sky and remaining in Hercules during the coming months.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Gregg Ruppel]

[SunkenCiv]

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[left that other site]

It’s a great big green blob of Comet Cleanser!

[Darksheare]

*ACHOO!*

‘Tis a copsmic sneeze!

[TheOldLady]

Great. Here's a comet that won't get too close to earth, so you can't really see it, and we don't know why it has two tails. Thanks a lot, NASA.

Sincere thanks to you, Civ, for posting the pretty picture.

[.30Carbine]

"P1 Garradd" is what my eyes take in, but what my brain keeps processing is "M1 Garand" (; Go figure. Great pics at the link. Thanks so much!

[SunkenCiv]

LOL!