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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Комета NEAT на западе http://www.variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1197975/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Jimmy Westlake
(Colorado
Mountain College)
Explanation:
On May 5th, while scanning western skies after sunset,
astronomer Jimmy Westlake was glad to spot a
visitor from
the outer solar system,
Comet NEAT, with his own eyes.
Taken with a normal lens, the picture records
his memorable view
of comet,
clouds, and Colorado Rocky Mountains against a
backdrop of many faint stars (most not visible to the unaided eye)
and one very bright one.
In the three minute time exposure, the comet is seen as
a fuzzy greenish smudge left of center,
with brilliant Sirius, alpha star of the constellation
Canis Major,
just above the low cloud bank on the right.
Comet NEAT (C/2001 Q4) is now near its closest aproach to
planet Earth and tonight will lie well above bright Sirius.
Look for the comet
- the third naked-eye comet in
as many weeks - after sunset in clear, dark, western skies.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.