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Keyword: comet2009p1

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  • Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Comet Garradd Passes Ten Thousand Stars

    09/03/2011 3:32:27 AM PDT · by SunkenCiv · 6 replies
    NASA ^ | September 03, 2011 | (see photo credit)
    Explanation: Comet Garradd continues to brighten as it drifts across the northern sky. Last week the comet, visible with binoculars and discernable by its green coma, passed nearly in front of globular cluster M71. M71 was once thought to be an open cluster, but is now known to be an older globular cluster containing over 10,000 stars. The photogenic duo was captured with a standard digital camera in a 10-minute, wide-angle exposure toward the northern constellation of the Arrow (Sagitta). The stars Sham (Alpha Sagittae), Beta Sagittae, Gamma Sagittae, and the double star Delta Sagitta are all visible in a...
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Tails of Comet Garradd

    10/20/2011 3:09:28 AM PDT · by SunkenCiv · 6 replies
    NASA ^ | October 20, 2011 | (see photo credit)
    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...