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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | Tony Cook

Posted on 10/24/2008 3:52:51 AM PDT by sig226


Amazing Comet Holmes
Credit & Copyright:
Tony Cook

Explanation: One year ago, Comet 17P/Holmes amazed sky watchers across planet Earth. A stunningly rapid outburst transformed it from a faint comet quietly orbiting the Sun with a period of about 7 years to a naked-eye comet rivaling the brighter stars in the constellation Perseus. Its largely tail-less shape, as in this wide-angle view recorded on November 11, 2007, became well-known to astronomers trying to unravel the mystery of the comet's surprising outburst . Still, Comet Holmes had a dim ion tail that was seen to separate from the bright coma. In this image, the separated tail creates the illusion of a reflection nebula. It appears as a faint bluish haze right of center against a background of stars in the loosely grouped Alpha Persei Moving Cluster.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day
KEYWORDS: apod

1 posted on 10/24/2008 3:52:51 AM PDT by sig226
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To: fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; thoughtomator; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...

2 posted on 10/24/2008 3:53:37 AM PDT by sig226 (Obama '08 - No, You Can't.)
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To: sig226

please remember to post a picture of a black hole when Obama is illegally voted in as the Socialist Leader of America.


3 posted on 10/24/2008 3:54:31 AM PDT by MAD-AS-HELL (How does one win over terrorists? KILL them with UNKINDNESS)
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To: sig226

Very cool! Thanks.


4 posted on 10/24/2008 4:29:39 AM PDT by GodBlessRonaldReagan (Wakka-ding-hoy - battle cry of the Plexus Rangers!)
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To: sig226

Thanks.


5 posted on 10/24/2008 4:34:47 AM PDT by itsthejourney (1 of every 10 people you pass in the mall is here illegally)
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To: itsthejourney

Great Shot;


6 posted on 10/24/2008 4:38:08 AM PDT by Exmachina
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To: sig226

Wow! Either that’s a very grainy picture, or there are hundreds and hundreds of stars in the sky!


7 posted on 10/24/2008 8:15:06 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard
Wow! Either that’s a very grainy picture, or there are hundreds and hundreds of stars in the sky!

How about "billions and billions?" From Carl Sagan of whom I was no fan.

8 posted on 10/24/2008 8:18:15 AM PDT by saminfl (conservative since 1964)
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To: Lancey Howard; saminfl

It was an 8 hour exposure.


9 posted on 10/24/2008 11:38:01 AM PDT by sig226 (Obama '08 - No, You Can't.)
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