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Astronomy Image of the Day

Comet Hale-Bopp and the North America Nebula

03 October 2004

Juan Carlos Casado

NASA Astronomy Image of the Day for 03 October 2004

Comet Hale-Bopp's 1997 encounter with the inner Solar System allowed many breath-taking pictures. Above, Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed crossing the constellation of Cygnus, sporting spectacular yellow dust and blue ion tails. Visible on the right in red is the North America Nebula, a bright emission nebula observable from a dark location with binoculars. The North America Nebula is about 1500 light-years away, much farther than the comet, which was only about 8 light minutes away. Several bright blue stars from the open cluster M39 are visible just above the comet's blue ion tail.

Image and explanation courtesy of NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day