Thursday, January 25, 2007

Comet McNaught Over New Zealand

Comets are one of nature's prize jewels, and it's not often they grace our night sky. Several years ago skywatchers in Vancouver missed our chance to enjoy a spectacular passing. We were thickly clouded over that week, and when the ceiling finally opened, the Fire Drake had passed us by. Here then are a couple of photos of Comet McNaught, taken earlier this week in New Zealand, that enchanted movieland of Hobbits and Kong.

The top photo was an exposure made by David Headland on January 22. And below is an exposure made by M. Yoneto, on January 23, which captures the comet tail as it falls beyond the N.Z. horizon. Stunning!
[PHOTOS BY PERMISSION]

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