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.

                                2024 April 8
   [2]A sequence of eight images of Comet Pons-Brooks, from top to bottom,
   showing the comet and its changing tail over 9 days. The ion tail looks
   very different in each of the images, sometimes being much more complex
       than other times. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                 The Changing Ion Tail of Comet Pons-Brooks
             Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Shengyu Li & Shaining

   Explanation: How does a comet tail change? It depends on the comet. The
   ion tail of [4]Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks has been changing markedly, as
   detailed in the featured image sequenced over nine days from March 6 to
   14 (top to bottom). On some days, the comet's [5]ion tail was
   relatively long and complex, but not every day. Reasons for tail
   changes include the rate of [6]ejection of material from the [7]comet's
   nucleus, the strength and complexity of the [8]passing solar wind, and
   the [9]rotation rate of the [10]comet. Over the course of a week,
   apparent changes even include a change of perspective from the Earth.
   In general, a comet's [11]ion tail will point away from the Sun, as gas
   expelled is pushed out by the [12]Sun's wind. Today, [13]Pons-Brooks
   may become a rare comet [14]suddenly visible in the middle of the day
   for those able to see the [15]Sun totally eclipsed by the Moon.

               NASA Coverage: [16]Today's Total Solar Eclipse
      Total Eclipse Imagery: [17]Notable Submissions to APOD Tomorrow's
                        picture: yesterday's eclipse
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [29]Robert Nemiroff ([30]MTU) & [31]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([32]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [33]Specific rights apply.
            [34]NASA Web Privacy, [35]Accessibility, [36]Notices;
                A service of: [37]ASD at [38]NASA / [39]GSFC,
                         [40]NASA Science Activation
                           & [41]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2404/Comet12pTails_ShengyuLi_3000.jpg
   3. mailto: skyenthusiast.lsy at gmail dot com
   4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12P/Pons–Brooks
   5. http://www2.ess.ucla.edu/~jewitt/tail.html
   6. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap151118.html
   7. https://www.cometcampaign.org/files/images/comets_spacecraft.jpg
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240219.html
   9. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240318.html
  10. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/comets/
  11. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/comets/en/anatomy-of-a-comet.en.jpg
  12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap000318.html
  13. https://earthsky.org/tonight/12-p-comet-pons-brooks-outburst-millennium-falcon-bright-2024-eclipse/
  14. https://live.staticflickr.com/5613/15634745431_af629b9374.jpg
  15. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170820.html
  16. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/
  17. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.410844681644115&type=3
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240407.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  22. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  24. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  27. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=240408
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240409.html
  29. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  30. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  31. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  32. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  36. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  37. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  40. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  41. http://www.mtu.edu/