                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2021 December 8

                    Comet Hale-Bopp Over Val Parola Pass
         Image Credit & Copyright: A. Dimai, (Col Druscie Obs.), AAC

   Explanation: Comet Hale-Bopp, the Great Comet of 1997, became much
   brighter than any surrounding stars. It was seen even over bright city
   lights. Away from city lights, however, it put on quite a spectacular
   show. Here Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed above Val Parola Pass in
   the Dolomite mountains surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Comet
   Hale-Bopp's blue ion tail, consisting of ions from the comet's nucleus,
   is pushed out by the solar wind. The white dust tail is composed of
   larger particles of dust from the nucleus driven by the pressure of
   sunlight, that orbit behind the comet. Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1)
   remained visible to the unaided eye for 18 months -- longer than any
   other comet in recorded history. The large comet is next expected to
   return around the year 4385. This month, Comet Leonard is brightening
   and may soon become visible to the unaided eye.

                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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