Comet McNaught over the Pacific Ocean

In this extraordinary picture taken from Paranal Observatory, the incomparable view offered by Comet C/2006 P1 (McNaught), which reached its perihelion in January 2007, unexpectedly becoming the brightest comet in the previous 40 years. The majestic comet is setting at twilight over the “sea of clouds” which typically covers the Pacific Ocean, only 12 km away from the observatory. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is visible on the left of the comet, while the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) appears near the upper edge of the picture.  

Credit:

S. Deiries/ESO

Over de afbeelding

Id:mc_naught57
Type:Fotografisch
Publicatiedatum:13 juli 2010 17:06
Grootte:3239 x 2159 px

Over het object

Naam:Comet McNaught
Type:Solar System : Interplanetary Body : Comet
Categorie:Solar System

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