Hubble and wide-field ground based view of Comet 17P/Holmes
The Hubble image at right, taken on 4 Nov., shows the heart of Comet 17P/Holmes. The central portion of the image has been specially processed to highlight variations in the dust distribution near the nucleus. About twice as much dust lies along the east-west direction (the horizontal direction) as along the north-south direction (the vertical direction), giving the comet a "bow tie" appearance.
The composite colour image at left, taken 1 Nov. by an amateur astronomer shows the complex structure of the entire coma, consisting of concentric shells of dust and a faint tail emanating from the comet's right side.
Credit:
About the Image
NASA caption
| Id: | heic0718a |
| Type: | Collage |
| Release date: | 15 November 2007, 15:00 |
| Related release: | heic0718 |
| Size: | 2964 x 2039 px |
About the Object
| Name: | 17P/Holmes |
| Type: | • Solar System : Interplanetary Body : Comet |
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
| Optical V |
555 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
| Optical R |
675 nm | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
Notes: The right image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and the left by an amateur astronomer.
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