Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2025 January 26
    [2]A dark sloping hill is seen at the bottom with a bright comet with
     many tails visible above it, taking up most of the frame. The tails
    closest to the slope are the most dim. Please see the explanation for
                         more detailed information.

                      The Many Tails of Comet G3 ATLAS
    Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Martin Mašek ([4]FZU, Czech Academy of
                        Sciences) & [5]Jakub Kuřák

   Explanation: Why does this comet have so many tails? [6]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 [7]impressive comet without any [8]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 [9]Paranal Observatory in [10]Chile. One possible cause for
   the multiple tails is dust and gas being [11]expelled from the comet's
   [12]rotating nucleus. The outward push of the [13]Sun's complex
   [14]solar wind may also play a role. The huge iceberg-like nucleus of
   [15]Comet [16]ATLAS appears to have [17]broken up near its closest
   approach to the Sun two weeks ago. Unfortunately, [18]Comet ATLAS and
   its tails are expected to fade significantly over the coming weeks.

   Your Sky Surprise: [19]What picture did APOD feature on your birthday?
                                 (post 1995)
                     Tomorrow's picture: half dome stars
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [31]Robert Nemiroff ([32]MTU) & [33]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([34]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [35]Specific rights apply.
            [36]NASA Web Privacy, [37]Accessibility, [38]Notices;
                A service of: [39]ASD at [40]NASA / [41]GSFC,
                         [42]NASA Science Activation
                           & [43]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2501/AtlasParanal_Kurak_2000.jpg
   3. https://www.fzu.cz/en/people/bc-martin-masek
   4. https://www.fzu.cz/en/home
   5. https://www.instagram.com/jakub.kurak/
   6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2024_G3_(ATLAS)
   7. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https://preview.redd.it/gfkvsovdq4l21.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=d24871a13ae2249f7681f845e63e636098a85c84
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250124.html
   9. https://youtu.be/k_LwlwJWZN0
  10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile
  11. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap151118.html
  12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap960414.html
  13. https://science.nasa.gov/sun/
  14. https://science.nasa.gov/learn/heat/resource/solar-wind-across-our-solar-system-infographic/
  15. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/facts/
  16. https://atlas.fallingstar.com/
  17. https://skyandtelescope.org/uncategorized/comet-atlas-caught-in-the-act-of-disintegration/
  18. https://theskylive.com/c2024g3-info
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250125.html
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  24. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  26. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  29. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250126
  30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250127.html
  31. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  32. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  33. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  34. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  35. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  36. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  39. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/
  41. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  42. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  43. http://www.mtu.edu/