Stardust and Comet Tails

Heading for its closest methodology to the Solar, or perihelion, on December 19 comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS) stays a scrutinize for telescopic observers because it sweeps thru planet Earth’s skies in the constellation Scorpius. The comet currently sports actions a greenish coma, long whitish filth tail, and short ion tail on this deep list from August 18. The 2×3 degree huge subject of see comprises piece of the dusty nebula IC 4592 reflecting blue starlight. Steadily referred to as the Blue Horsehead Nebula, IC 4592 is ready 400 gentle-years distant while the comet is aesthetic below 17 gentle-minutes away. First spotted at a distance effectively beyond the orbit of Saturn C/2017 K2 is on its maiden voyage to the internal solar machine, a pristine visitor from the distant Oort cloud.