Explanation: Blowing in the solar wind the spectacular ion tail of Comet SWAN (C/2020 F8) extends far across this 10 degree wide telephoto field of view. Captured on May 2 its greenish coma was about 6 light-minutes from Earth. The pretty background starfield lies near the border of the constellations Cetus and Aquarius. This comet SWAN was discovered at home by Australian amateur Michael Mattiazzo by checking images from the Sun-staring SOHO spacecraft's SWAN (Solar Wind ANisotropies) camera. The comet has now become just visible to the naked-eye as it sweeps from southern to northern skies. Appearing in morning twilight near the eastern horizon, Comet SWAN will make its closest approach to planet Earth on May 12 and reach perihelion on May 27. <br><br>
Beautiful! If Comet SWAN had been some ten times brighter, it would have been another Hyakutake!
Ann
Re: APOD: Long Tailed Comet SWAN (2020 May 08)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 10:49 am
by orin stepanek
What a beauty!
Re: APOD: Long Tailed Comet SWAN (2020 May 08)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 12:55 pm
by Chris Peterson
Ann wrote: ↑Fri May 08, 2020 9:37 am
Beautiful! If Comet SWAN had been some ten times brighter, it would have been another Hyakutake! :D
When I saw Hyakutake, its tail was at least 60° to the naked eye- covering a third of the sky, although the impression was that its tail was at least half of the sky!
Re: APOD: Long Tailed Comet SWAN (2020 May 08)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 2:24 pm
by E Fish
Ann wrote: ↑Fri May 08, 2020 9:37 am
Beautiful! If Comet SWAN had been some ten times brighter, it would have been another Hyakutake!
Ann
Oh, I remember getting up at 3 a.m. to see Hyakutake when I was in high school. My first comet!
Ann wrote: ↑Fri May 08, 2020 9:37 am
Beautiful! If Comet SWAN had been some ten times brighter, it would have been another Hyakutake!
When I saw Hyakutake, its tail was at least 60° to the naked eye- covering a third of the sky, although the impression was that its tail was at least half of the sky!
Long Tailed Comet SWAN
