Comet Burnham by Fahrenheit451
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Description
Comet Burnham, a long-period comet, is seen here photographed by the Ramses Spacecraft on a recent close encounter. At the time of its discovery, the comet was shining at magnitude 11.0 and had a coma approximately 2.5 arcminutes across, as it reached perihelion. It’s ghostly green glow (inset image) is caused by the interactions between ionised solar wind particles and neutral atoms of highly volatile ethane and methane ice in the nucleus. Ramses also detected X-ray and gamma bursts emanating from the comets tail.
Comet Burnham last returned to it’s inner solar system approximately 17,000 years ago, but this will be it’s last journey. Planetary forces will shear it into six pieces, they will crash into the planets, and no longer light the night sky.
Comments (8)
pakled
Interesting stuff...is that Fahrenheit 451 for the avatar?
Seaview123
An interesting bit of information about this comet. Is this a real comet or did you make it up? Good work on the image, too.
ShockStrut
Cool. You don't actually get much ambient light in space, but that makes it just about impossible to see anything so a bit of artistic licence is needed.
Chumly
A really excellent image.
choronr
Technically and artistically, this is a striking piece of work.
LivingPixels
Excellent piece of art!!
MagikUnicorn
REALLY COOL MY FRIEND...NOW WE NEED A SPECIAL MISSION TO LAND ON IT :)
Dotthy
looks like a book cover, outstanding work!!!!!!!!!!