                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 August 21
   A dark starfield is shown with a dim green blur in the middle. Faintly
   extending from the green blur is a tail toward the left. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                         Introducing Comet Nishimura
                      Credit & Copyright: Dan Bartlett

   Explanation: Will Comet Nishimura become visible to the unaided eye?
   Given the unpredictability of comets, no one can say for sure, but it
   currently seems like a good bet. The comet was discovered only ten days
   ago by Hideo Nishimura during 30-second exposures with a standard
   digital camera. Since then, C/2023 P1 Nishimura has increased in
   brightness and its path across the inner Solar System determined. As
   the comet dives toward the Sun, it will surely continue to intensify
   and possibly become a naked-eye object in early September. A problem is
   that the comet will also be angularly near the Sun, so it will only be
   possible to see it near sunset or sunrise. The comet will get so close
   to the Sun -- inside the orbit of planet Mercury -- that its nucleus
   may break up. Pictured, Comet Nishimura was imaged three days ago from
   June Lake, California, USA while sporting a green coma and a thin tail.

                     Tomorrow's picture: nebula unknown
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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