Comet ATLAS Rounds the Solar

Why does Comet ATLAS own such vivid tails? Final week Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) handed its closest to the Solar — properly internal the orbit of Mercury — and brightened dramatically. Sadly, the comet was as soon as then so angularly discontinuance to the Solar that it was as soon as very laborious for humans to peer. Nevertheless NASA’s SOHO spacecraft seen it. Pictured is a SOHO (LASCO C3) image of Comet ATLAS that is a composite of plenty of assorted color filters. Of the a range of tails considered, the central white tails are seemingly fabricated from mud and superior reflecting inspire sunlight. The crimson, blue, and green tails are seemingly ion tails with their colours dominated by light emitted by particular gases that were ejected from the comet and energized by the Solar. On the 2nd, Comet ATLAS is showing lengthy tails in southern skies but fading because it strikes out of the inner Solar Intention. Increasing Gallery: Comet ATLAS (G3)