2025年1月26日
The Many Tails of Comet G3 ATLAS
Image Credit & Copyright: Martin Mašek (FZU, Czech Academy of Sciences) & Jakub Kuřák
Explanation: Why does this comet have so many tails? C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) has developed several long and intricate tails visible from Earth’s southern hemisphere over the past two weeks. Many observers reported seeing the impressive comet without any optical aid above the western horizon just after sunset. At least six different tails appear in the featured image captured five days ago from the dark skies above Paranal Observatory in Chile. One possible cause for the multiple tails is dust and gas being expelled from the comet’s rotating nucleus. The outward push of the Sun‘s complex solar wind may also play a role. The huge iceberg-like nucleus of Comet ATLAS appears to have broken up near its closest approach to the Sun two weeks ago. Unfortunately, Comet ATLAS and its tails are expected to fade significantly over the coming weeks.
Your Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)
Tomorrow’s picture: half dome stars
阿特拉斯彗星的彗尾
影像提供与版权: Martin Mašek (FZU, Czech Academy of Sciences) & Jakub Kuřák
说明: 为何这颗彗星有这么多条彗尾？南天清楚可见的阿特拉斯彗星（C/2024 G3 ATLAS），于过去2星期中发展出数条长且复杂的彗尾。许多观测者说，这颗悬在日落后西方地平线上空的壮观彗星，即使不借助光学仪器也清楚可见。在这幅记录5天前智利 帕连那天文台幽暗夜空的主题影像里，这颗彗星曳着至少6条彗尾。造成多条彗尾的可能成因之一，是所释出的尘埃和气体，其源头为这颗彗星不停转动的彗核。而太阳复杂多变的太阳风的外向推力，可能也起了部分作用。此外，阿特拉斯 彗星大如冰山的彗核，二星期前在近日点附近时似乎发生崩解（可能因此造成了多条彗尾）。很遗憾的是，随着彗星远离，阿特拉斯彗星及其彗尾的亮度，在未来几周内预期会大幅下降。
你的天空惊喜: 你生日那天APOD展示了什么照片？（1995年后）
明日的图片: half dome stars
