五颗明亮彗星的SOHO卫星影像

2024年10月10日

Five Bright Comets from SOHO
Image Compilation Credit: Tunc Tezel (TWAN)

Explanation: Five bright comets are compared in these panels, recorded by a coronograph on board the long-lived, sun-staring SOHO spacecraft. Arranged chronologically all are recognizable by their tails streaming away from the Sun at the center of each field of view, where a direct view of the overwhelmingly bright Sun is blocked by the coronagraph’s occulting disk. Each comet was memorable for earthbound skygazers, starting at top left with Comet McNaught, the 21st century’s brightest comet (so far). C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas, approaching its perihelion with the active Sun at bottom center, has most recently grabbed the attention of comet watchers around the globe. By the end of October 2024, the blank 6th panel may be filled with bright sungrazer comet C/2024 S1 Atlas. … or not.

Tomorrow’s picture: ring of fire island

五颗明亮彗星的SOHO卫星影像
影像汇集: Tunc Tezel (TWAN)

说明: 这些图板陈列了五颗明亮的彗星；而这些影像，皆来自专责监控太阳的长寿SOHO卫星上的日冕仪。按拍照时间顺序排列的这些彗星，都可以透过它们往远离太阳方向伸展的彗尾加以识别，而位于每块图板中心的极端明亮太阳，其炫光则受到日冕仪的掩星盘之遮挡。这些让地表观星者念念不忘的彗星，有左上图板的麦克诺彗星（McNaught），它也是21世纪到目前为止最明亮的彗星。下中方图板的紫金山-阿特拉斯彗星（C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas），现在往最接近活跃期太阳的近日点前进，并吸引全球观星者的目光。到了2024年10月底，第六块空白图板或许会被另一颗明亮的掠日彗星C/2024 S1 Atlas所占据，不过也有可能不会。

明日的图片: ring of fire island