Starship Asterisk*

Comet Leonard Before Star Cluster M3

Explanation: Comet Leonard is now visible to the unaided eye -- but just barely. Passing nearest to the Earth today, the comet is best seen this week soon after sunset, toward the west, low on the horizon. Currently best visible in the north, by late December the comet will best be seen from south of Earth's equator. The featured image of Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard) was taken a week ago from California, USA. The deep exposure shows in great detail the comet's green gas coma and developing dust tail. The comet -- across our inner Solar System and only light-minutes away -- was captured passing nearly in front of globular star cluster M3. In contrast, M3 is about 35,000 light-years away. In a week, Comet Leonard will pass unusually close to Venus, but will continue on and be at its closest to the Sun in early January.

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As usual clouds. Maybe I should find a new hobby. Astronomy gives me depressions these days.

Beautiful Kitty version; Hide and Seek!

I’m afraid Comet Leonard must be destroyed as it is blocking my view of Venus…



Marvin T. Martian

orin stepanek wrote: ↑Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:22 pm M3Leonard_Bartlett_3843.jpg
Beautiful
two-cats-watching-intently-scared-59713174.jpg
Kitty version; Hide and Seek!

You’ve done it again Orin, those two cuties have to be siblings!

Interesting that they gave us a fresh photo on Saturday and a great one at that!
Have a great Sunday!

Eric

This is an astonishing image, and i wonder what was the equipment used and details of the capture.

XgeoX wrote: ↑Sun Dec 12, 2021 6:33 pm

orin stepanek wrote: ↑Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:22 pm M3Leonard_Bartlett_3843.jpg
Beautiful
two-cats-watching-intently-scared-59713174.jpg
Kitty version; Hide and Seek!

You’ve done it again Orin, those two cuties have to be siblings!

Interesting that they gave us a fresh photo on Saturday and a great one at that!
Have a great Sunday!

Eric

Thanks for the kind words Eric!