NGC 7129 and NGC 7142 (APOD 13 Sep 2007)

Comments and questions about the APOD on the main view screen.
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Keninho
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NGC 7129 and NGC 7142 (APOD 13 Sep 2007)

Post by Keninho » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:40 am

In the center of the picture, a little bit to the right, there's what seems to be a comet. Is there any information about it?

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Case
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Re: APOD Sep. 13th

Post by Case » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:51 pm

Image
I suppose it could be a galaxy with a superimposed foreground star. The galaxy might be irregular or partly obscured by dark gas.
If it were a comet, it had to be relatively close to the sun to show a tail.
The tail-like streak appears in other photos of NGC 7129/NGC 7142 at the same location, tho' not as prominent as the APOD one. This rules out comets, as comets move pretty fast.
Image

Andy Wade
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Re: APOD Sep. 13th

Post by Andy Wade » Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:12 pm

Case wrote:Image
I suppose it could be a galaxy with a superimposed foreground star. The galaxy might be irregular or partly obscured by dark gas.
If it were a comet, it had to be relatively close to the sun to show a tail.
The tail-like streak appears in other photos of NGC 7129/NGC 7142 at the same location, tho' not as prominent as the APOD one. This rules out comets, as comets move pretty fast.
Image
Given all that I reckon it's a galaxy edge on, that just happens to have a foreground star lining up with one end.
Regards,
Andy.

SmartAZ
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Post by SmartAZ » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:44 am

There are many stars and galaxies with tails, looking just like comets. Here is a star called Mira:

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