                        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.

                               2024 October 10

                        Five Bright Comets from SOHO
                 Image Compilation Credit: Tunc Tezel (TWAN)

   Explanation: Five bright comets are compared in these panels, recorded
   by a coronograph on board the long-lived, sun-staring SOHO spacecraft.
   Arranged chronologically all are recognizable by their tails streaming
   away from the Sun at the center of each field of view, where a direct
   view of the overwhelmingly bright Sun is blocked by the coronagraph's
   occulting disk. Each comet was memorable for earthbound skygazers,
   starting at top left with Comet McNaught, the 21st century's brightest
   comet (so far). C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas, approaching its perihelion
   with the active Sun at bottom center, has most recently grabbed the
   attention of comet watchers around the globe. By the end of October
   2024, the blank 6th panel may be filled with bright sungrazer comet
   C/2024 S1 Atlas. ... or not.

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