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NGC 7129 and NGC 7142 (APOD 13 Sep 2007)
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:40 am
by Keninho
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?
Re: APOD Sep. 13th
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:51 pm
by Case
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.
Re: APOD Sep. 13th
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:12 pm
by Andy Wade
Case wrote:
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.
Given all that I reckon it's a galaxy edge on, that just happens to have a foreground star lining up with one end.
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:44 am
by SmartAZ
There are many stars and galaxies with tails, looking just like comets. Here is a star called Mira:
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