Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Comet Leonard behind JWST Launch Plume

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 27, 2021 is “Comet Leonard behind JWST Launch Plume,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Matipon Tangmatitham ( NARIT )). The original explanation runs about 191 words.

The featured image shows Comet Leonard and the rising plume from the Ariane V rocket launching the James Web Space Telescope. The image was taken from Thailand on December 25. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Matipon Tangmatitham ( NARIT ) Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Which one of these two streaks is a comet? Although they both have comet-like features, the lower streak is the only real comet.”

— APOD editors, December 27, 2021

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
December 27, 2021
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Matipon Tangmatitham ( NARIT )
Copyright
Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 191 words

All of December 2021 → · 2021 by month → · Full archive since 1995 →

Topics in this entry

The SunCometsJames Webb Space Telescope

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: December 27 in other years

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Source

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.