Media Information
 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection
Title:
Comet McNaught Heads for the Sun
Explanation:
Early morning risers with a clear and unobstructed eastern horizon can enjoy the sight of Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1) in dawn skies over the next few days. Discovered in August by R. H. McNaught (Siding Spring Survey [ http://www.mso.anu.…]) the comet has grown bright enough to see with the unaided eye but will soon be lost in the glare of the Sun. Still, by January 11 sun-staring spacecraft SOHO should be able to offer web-based views [ http://sohowww.nasc…512/ ] as the comet heads toward [ http://neo.jpl.nasa…P1 ] a perihelion [ http://www.windows.…link=/physical_scien ce/physics/mechanics /orbit/ perihelion_aphelion. html&edu=high ] passage inside the orbit of Mercury. This image captures [ http://www.astrostu…] the new naked-eye comet [ http://www.nasa.gov…] at about 2nd magnitude [ http://en.wikipedia…] in twilight skies near sunset on January 3rd. After rounding the Sun [ http://www.shadowan…] and emerging from the solar glare later this month, Comet McNaught [ http://www.aerith.n…] could be even brighter.
Credit and Copyright:
Michael Jager and Gerald Rhemann [ http://www.astrostu…]
facet_where:
Mercury
facet_where:
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Mercury
facet_what:
SOHO
facet_what:
Dawn
facet_what:
comet
original url:
http://antwrp.gsfc.…
UID:
SPD-APOD-ap070105

Comet McNaught Heads for the Sun
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