Astronomy Picture of the Day · July 8, 2020

Mercury's Sodium Tail

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for July 8, 2020 is “Mercury's Sodium Tail,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Andrea Alessandrini). The original explanation runs about 159 words.

From the explanation

“What is that fuzzy streak extending from Mercury? Long exposures of our Solar System’s innermost planet may reveal something unexpected: a tail.”

— APOD editors, July 8, 2020

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: July 8, 2020
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Andrea Alessandrini
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 159 words

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, July 8, 2020 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2020-july-8-mercurys-sodium-tail

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.