Astronomy Picture of the Day ·
Almost Three Tails for Comet Encke
The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 20, 2017 is “Almost Three Tails for Comet Encke,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich). The original explanation runs about 150 words.
From the explanation
“How can a comet have three tails? Normally, a comet has two tails : an ion tail of charged particles emitted by the comet and pushed out by the wind from the Sun, and a dust tail of small debris that orbits behind the comet but is also pushed out, to some degree, by the solar wind.”
— APOD editors, February 20, 2017
Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov
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At a glance
- Date
- February 20, 2017
- Type
- Image
- Credit
- Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Fritz Helmut Hemmerich
- Copyright
- Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
- Explanation length
- About 150 words