Astronomy Picture of the Day - The Meteor and the Comet

NASA ^ | 27 Nov, 2024 | Image Credit & Copyright: Wang Hao; Processing: Song Wentao

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: How different are these two streaks? The streak on the upper right is Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas showing an impressive dust tail. The comet is a large and dirty iceberg that entered the inner Solar System and is shedding gas and dust as it is warmed by the Sun's light. The streak on the lower left is a meteor showing an impressive evaporation trail. The meteor is a small and cold rock that entered the Earth's atmosphere and is shedding gas and dust as it is warmed by molecular collisions. The meteor was likely once part of a comet or asteroid -- perhaps later composing part of its tail. The meteor was gone in a flash and was only caught by coincidence during a series of exposures documenting the comet's long tail. The featured image was captured just over a month ago from Sichuan Province in China.

[MtnClimber]

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[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

[Jamestown1630]

Very cool.

[Red Badger]

[Track9]

Did they both have bench seats? Asking for a friend.

[Freee-dame]

WOW!

[DannyTN]

[George from New England]

Ray man Stevens
Miss Gitarzan

[telescope115]

That is so cool!

[No name given]

Wow.

[minnesota_bound]

Romulon warship vs Klingon battle cruiser battle..

[Red Badger]

Yes, standard back then. When the birthrate was higher for some reason....................