APOD: Five Bright Comets from SOHO (2024 Oct 10)

Comments and questions about the APOD on the main view screen.
User avatar
APOD Robot
Otto Posterman
Posts: 5582
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:27 am

APOD: Five Bright Comets from SOHO (2024 Oct 10)

Post by APOD Robot » Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:05 am

Image Five Bright Comets from SOHO

Explanation: Five bright comets are compared in these panels, recorded by a coronograph on board the long-lived, sun-staring SOHO spacecraft. Arranged chronologically all are recognizable by their tails streaming away from the Sun at the center of each field of view, where a direct view of the overwhelmingly bright Sun is blocked by the coronagraph's occulting disk. Each comet was memorable for earthbound skygazers, starting at top left with Comet McNaught, the 21st century's brightest comet (so far). C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas, approaching its perihelion with the active Sun at bottom center, has most recently grabbed the attention of comet watchers around the globe. By the end of October 2024, the blank 6th panel may be filled with bright sungrazer comet C/2024 S1 Atlas. ... or not.

<< Previous APOD This Day in APOD Next APOD >>