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Comet
McNaught surprised everybody in January 2007 by becoming the brightest
comet in 40 years. Although winter weather prevented many northerners from
an unexpected glimpse of this wonderful sight [Photo-UK],
it was rather well observed by the southerners enjoying their summer. When
the comet was at its best, you could not see it in the north? Well
actually you could for a little while due to the exceptionally large tail
swinging into the northern sky where it could be seen. Above, Comet McNaught's Tail is visible towering over 30 degrees up towards the
Crescent Moon, long after the coma had set. Large vertical streaks made it look similar to faint Aurora. On this evening, turbulence made this
photograph especially difficult. Wide-angle 18mm lens using a Canon EOS 400D (XTi) uncropped
30sec./f3.5 1600 ISO. Airborne 35,000 feet over West Africa. 10'N/004'E.
More: [photos]
[info].
Photo: 21 Jan 2007 1900UT. [Tail-800x600]
[Panorama-1000x375]
Photo: (c)
2007 Brian Whittaker (.com)
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